How Therapists in Singapore Can Help with Postpartum Depression
Last Updated on May 30, 2025 by Prath
Reviewed by April Justice, LICSW
- Published on 30 May 2025
Having a baby can change your life – in ways both happy and complicated.
The happy part is easy to identify. You’re in love! The baby is healthy, things are smooth, you’re financially stable, and you have a supportive partner.
And if you’ve guessed, the complicated part is, of course, not easy. Your days are filled with mood swings, anxious thoughts, and a deep fear. The nights are sleepless.
Postpartum is a lot to take in. How do you begin to understand and navigate these changes? The answer is quite simple: By talking to a therapist in Singapore.
Here, we talk about the causes and signs of postpartum depression, how therapists can help, and what you can do to cope with the new and often uncontrollable emotions.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a mental health issue that may commonly affect:
- Women who’ve given birth
- Pregnant people
- Individuals, even long after delivery
The signs are beyond ‘baby blues’. When you have symptoms of postpartum depression, your life may take such a turn that you’re unable to cope with your thoughts and feelings on your own.
Everyday tasks can feel impossible to accomplish. Some moms may even experience complicated emotions revolving around their babies. However, most symptoms may manifest differently in different individuals.
Approximately 1 in 10 women in Singapore experience postpartum anxiety or depression. And the tricky part is that the signs often remain unnoticed. In fact, merely the pressure to be the ‘perfect mom’ can contribute to the symptoms. We’ll explore the causes in the later sections.
Other mental health issues, like generalised anxiety or phobias, may also co-exist with postpartum depression. But the good news is that this condition is manageable, and recovery is possible through the right support.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Not every low mood or crying spell automatically links to depression. These could either be signs of baby blues or simply because you’re experiencing a lot of physical and psychological changes in a short span of time.
That said, we recommend talking to a therapist in Singapore even if one crying spell makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.
This is because moms are not meant to carry all the weight alone. You deserve the same support, love, and care that you give to your baby.
And self-care starts with understanding what the signs look like. So, in this section, let’s go into the signs of both blues and postpartum depression.
Signs of Baby Blues
Symptoms of baby blues last only for a few days, or at best, a week or two after your baby is born.
Common signs include:
- Mood swings
- Feeling too emotional
- Trouble sleeping (even when the baby sleeps)
- Mild anger or irritability
- Crying spells for a short period of time
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Inattention and feeling ‘on edge’
- Feeling sad for no reason
Signs of Postpartum Depression
Symptoms of postpartum depression can sometimes be mistaken for baby blues. However, here is the key distinction: Depression lasts longer and feels more intense.
The signs eventually seep into your daily life and affect your ability to function in a healthy way. These develop within the first few weeks of giving birth and last for up to a year or more.
Common symptoms include:
- Long-term sadness
- Feeling like something is wrong with you
- Severe mood swings
- Intense irritability and anger
- Insomnia or sleeping too much and still feeling tired
- Hopelessness, lack of self-worth and confidence
- Severe anxiety or panic attacks
- Difficulty connecting with your baby
- Thoughts of harming yourself or the child
- Physical and emotional fatigue
Causes of Postpartum Depression
Like any other mental health issue, postpartum depression does not have a universal cause.
Therapists in Singapore can help you identify the factors that may have contributed to your condition.
Some common factors include:
- Genetics or hormonal changes: After childbirth, the body goes through several changes to adapt to the new reality. For example, your oestrogen and progesterone may drop, leading to mood swings. Thyroid hormone levels may increase and cause signs of depression.
- Sleep deprivation: It’s no secret that you may have to wake up multiple times at night to breastfeed or care for the baby. The human body cannot function properly without sufficient quality sleep. Hence, until you adapt to the change, sleep deprivation could also cause postpartum depression.
- Emotional factors: As a new mom, you may feel anxious about the entire experience. What if you say or do the wrong thing? The stress that comes with pregnancy is no joke and can trigger intense symptoms such as panic attacks or psychological distress.
- Lack of support: Not every individual has a loving household or partner. In fact, the lack of medical or community support can also have a negative impact on a new parent’s mental health.
- Personal history of mental health issues: If you’re someone who’s already been struggling with issues such as chronic depression or anxiety, you may be more susceptible to postpartum depression.
Can Therapists in Singapore Help With Postpartum Depression?
Yes, absolutely. At Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO), we have Therapists trained in:
- Premarital mental health
- Marriage preparation (including childbirth)
- Parental stress
- Relationship issues
Therapy can be a safe environment for you to talk about what you’re going through and find the tools to help you cope with the changes that occur due to pregnancy.
Singapore has seen a rise in postpartum depression due to advancements in screening. Hence, more organisations and mental health platforms are offering personalised support for new moms.
Going a step further, TYHO Therapists are also culturally attuned to their clients. This means that the therapeutic treatment you receive is tailored to your cultural background, parental values, expectations, and personality characteristics.
Finding help
If you’re wondering where to find help for postpartum depression in Singapore, consider the options below:
- Private therapy clinicians who offer personalised support
- Mental health platforms like TYHO, where you can find expert and well-qualified Therapists in Singapore
- Polyclinics or hospitals with referrals to clinical psychologists
- Peer support groups, which may help you feel less alone in your experience
You don’t have to wait until things get worse. Therapists can help you even if you feel emotionally unstable and stuck.
What to Expect in Therapy
Starting therapy can be scary, especially if you’re unsure what to expect or do not have the emotional bandwidth to research the process.
Worry not; here, we want to share a simple guide on what you can expect before consulting a therapist in Singapore.
Most professionals begin by asking about your personal background and getting to know you better. This is known as the rapport-building stage.
At this time, you can expect to talk about:
- Your family background
- Past and current relationships
- Work and personal life
- Expectations around your marriage and parenthood
- Personal history of any mental health issues
- Birth experience
- Current emotional state
- Support systems you can rely on
From there, therapy may include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps you challenge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier perspectives.
- Talk therapy: Simply having a space to vent without judgment and stereotypical opinions on being a mom or dad for the first time.
- Mindfulness practices: Many therapists incorporate grounding techniques, breathing exercises, and guided meditations to help you feel calm and prepare better for the baby’s arrival.
- Couples counselling: Some therapists may encourage you to seek couples counselling to improve your relationship before welcoming the baby.
Finding the right therapist in Singapore
Finding the right therapist in Singapore can be daunting. Where do you start? What do you even look for?
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Look for specialisation: Not all therapists specialise in perinatal mental health. Look for those experienced in postpartum issues or women’s mental health.
- Review the language and cultural fit: Choose someone you feel comfortable speaking to. At TYHO, you can watch introductory videos, read Therapist descriptions and client reviews before making a decision.
- Consider logistics: Online therapy can be helpful if you’re unable to leave the house, either due to your preferences or because of the psychological symptoms of pregnancy. You can attend online sessions from anywhere in the world. However, if you still prefer talking to someone face-to-face, we also provide in-person therapy in several major locations in Singapore.
- Ask questions: It’s okay to ask questions during therapy sessions. In fact, questions can help you get to know the therapist better and decide if they’re the right fit for you.
- Listen to your gut: After the first session, ask yourself, ‘Did I feel heard?’ Safe? Understood? If yes, you’re at the right place! If not, it’s okay to look for a new therapist.
How to Cope With Postpartum Depression
Besides therapy, you can do some simple things to cope with postpartum depression. These activities can be performed alone or along with your partner.
1) Ask for help
While this may seem very basic, sometimes, we forget to ask for help when we need it the most. Asking for help could mean:
- Requesting your friend to cook dinner for you
- Opening up to your partner about your emotional struggles
- Talk to a therapist in Singapore for better support
2) Prioritise rest
We know it’s not easy to rest when you have a baby to look after. But did you know that your baby thrives when you’re actually well-rested?
If you’re unable to spend a lot of time on self-care, take time for short naps, walks, or meditation sessions.
Anything small is still something meaningful.
3) Eat nourishing food
Postpartum recovery isn’t just about your body; it’s also about your mind.
Eat balanced meals that include plenty of whole grains, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
4) Connect with others
Prioritising social activities during the postpartum period can be challenging. But having a baby does not mean that you stop needing love and support.
Simply call a friend and have a short chat, meet your neighbours, or arrange date nights with your partner every other weekend.
5) Gentle movement
If you’ve been cleared by your doctor, gentle and slow movements can have a profoundly positive impact on both your body and mental well-being.
Try stretching your body, taking a short walk around the park, or doing easy yoga poses.
6) Track your feelings
Tracking your feelings can help you identify any emotional triggers and avoid engaging in negative thought patterns.
Journal a couple of sentences every morning after waking up and at night before sleeping. You can also use mood-tracking apps to gain a better understanding of your emotional health.
Key Takeaways
- Postpartum depression is different from baby blues.
- The common symptoms of postpartum depression include persistent low mood, guilt, panic attacks, and insomnia.
- Genetic factors, hormonal issues, lack of support, and personal history of mental health issues can cause postpartum depression.
- A qualified therapist in Singapore can help you manage and reduce the signs of depression.
This is your new chapter, and you deserve to be a happy version of yourself in it!
If you think you have postpartum depression, talk to a therapist in Singapore.
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