Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in a woman within four weeks of giving birth. Diagnosis of postpartum depression is based not only on the time between birth and onset, but also on the severity of the depression. So is postpartum depression dangerous?

Chronic depressive disorder (mood disorder, persistent depressive disorder) is a condition that causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years. Patients may have periods of severe depression and periods of milder symptoms.