What’s the deal with postpartum depression?

[Mister Obvious]

I was just browsing Instagram and I came across this picture of a lady breastfeeding and sobbing at the same time, with a caption explaining postpartum depression had been the darkest hell of her life. Now... why the fuck this was on my recommended feed is another matter entirely. But, I got to thinking...

What is the true cause for postpartum depression?

Was the process of giving birth so traumatic yet unable to be hidden from since reminders of it are everywhere (i.e. you’re holding a baby, etc.) causing emotional breakdown to be unavoidable?

Is it because there’s a leach baby who wishes to feed off your very life essence by suckling the teat?

Is it because you realize your freedom and independence are gone?

Is it because your sex appeal tanked since you got fat having a baby and now you’re all blown out?

Jeez...

The reasons for postpartum depression seem to be more and more understandable with each one I list!

I’m just trying to look at the deeper meaning of things... the true cause. 

I would say it’s a little bit of all the above and most likely especially the first reason.

[Mister Obvious]

Overwhelming responsibility so serious and intense that you’d basically rather die than have to deal with it?

That seems plausible.

[Mister Obvious]

You know also I’m sure hormones play an absolutely massive role in this as well.

So hormones are adjusting following birth, preparing to kick the body into milk making mode...

But what could possibly be the reason for making the mother so depressed they want to die?

That seems a little extreme and seems like that could threaten the survival of the baby.

Is this hormonal process complicated by modern environmental factors? Would this “adverse reaction” not have appeared 1000 years ago?

[Guest]

Sometimes i wonder if it is the realization of how powerless humans are over our biological systems so it becomes a terrifying experience having a baby... But yeah its mostly hormones