What outpatient department should I visit for postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression can generally be addressed at outpatient clinics specializing in mental health, postnatal rehabilitation clinics in obstetrics departments, psychological clinics at maternal and child health hospitals, psychosomatic medicine clinics in general hospitals, or psychological counseling clinics at community health service centers. Specific details are as follows:

1. Mental Health Outpatient Clinic: These clinics specialize in diagnosing and treating various mental and psychological disorders. Doctors have professional expertise in assessing and managing postpartum depression. They can accurately diagnose the condition through interviews and standardized assessment scales, and offer comprehensive interventions including medication and psychotherapy, making them suitable for patients with more pronounced symptoms.

2. Obstetric Postnatal Rehabilitation Clinic: Some hospitals' obstetrics departments offer postnatal rehabilitation clinics. In addition to providing routine guidance on physical recovery after childbirth, these clinics also monitor mothers’ psychological well-being. They can conduct preliminary assessments of emotional disturbances and promptly refer cases with depressive tendencies to specialized mental health services. This option is ideal for mothers seeking consultation during routine postpartum checkups.

3. Psychological Clinic at Maternal and Child Health Hospitals: These hospitals focus on women's and children's health, and their psychological clinic physicians are familiar with the physiological and psychological changes specific to postpartum women. They can develop tailored intervention plans considering factors such as postpartum hormonal fluctuations and parenting stress, offering care that better meets the needs of new mothers.

4. Psychosomatic Medicine Clinic at General Hospitals: These clinics emphasize the connection between mental and physical health. They can evaluate how postpartum depression affects bodily functions such as sleep and appetite, and treat both the psychological condition and associated physical symptoms like anxiety and insomnia. This makes them particularly suitable for mothers experiencing significant physical discomfort alongside depression.

5. Psychological Counseling Clinic at Community Health Service Centers: These clinics are conveniently located within local communities and provide basic psychological support. They help alleviate mild emotional stress in new mothers. If symptoms are severe, they assist in referring patients to higher-level medical institutions for further evaluation and treatment. This option is ideal for mothers who have difficulty traveling or those experiencing milder symptoms.

If a mother experiences persistent low mood, loss of interest, or similar symptoms, she should seek appropriate outpatient care as early as possible based on her individual circumstances. During the visit, it is important to inform the doctor about the time since delivery and specific details of emotional changes to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment. Family members are encouraged to accompany the mother to provide emotional support.