Everyone experiences moments of sadness. In most cases, these times last for only hours or days. Nearly twenty percent of the world’s population, however, are diagnosed with major depression, which causes depression that lasts for weeks, months, or longer. These moods cause the person to develop problems functioning in work, family, or social relationships, which can become disabling.

Females who experience signs of depression after they become pregnant may be treated for perinatal depression. This illness can develop any time after pregnancy begins, or any time thereafter, until the baby is a year old. Most commonly, however, women who encounter this illness after the child is born are diagnosed with postpartum depression.

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My sons friend just had a baby (week old). Already the girlfriend
is in major depression and refuses to take her medication. The
man is afraid to leave the baby, what should he do?