"I was so severely depressed after having my baby": Choi Yeon-soo seeks counseling for postpartum depression [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Model and influencer Choi Yeon-soo said she sought counseling after experiencing severe depression and emotional changes following childbirth. Temporary low mood after giving birth is common, but if symptoms last for more than two weeks or become severe enough to interfere with daily life, an evaluation and treatment for postpartum depression are necessary.
Choi Yeon-soo held a Q&A on her social media on the 29th, sharing updates about her recent health and childcare.
When a netizen asked whether she was doing all right with postpartum depression, Choi Yeon-soo replied, "I was having a difficult time, so I went to counseling. Go get counseling as soon as possible before postpartum depression gets worse."
Choi Yeon-soo also spoke candidly last month about the emotional changes she experienced after giving birth. At the time, she said, "After having my baby, I was so depressed, I couldn't really control my anger, and my emotions fluctuated so much (they said it was a hormonal issue)."
Choi Yeon-soo gave birth to a son last May and is now four months postpartum. Regarding her son's development, she said, "He scoots around on his back and rolls over." As for managing her weight after childbirth, she said she has not yet returned to her pre-pregnancy weight. "Rather than losing weight drastically, I'm managing it slowly so I don't harm my health, so I think it will take some time to get back," she said.

Postpartum blues, which can involve low mood or frequent crying immediately after childbirth, are relatively common. However, if the symptoms persist for an extended period or begin to affect daily life, they should be evaluated to determine whether they are postpartum depression.
According to the National Mental Health Information Portal operated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)'s National Center for Mental Health and the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, many women experience temporary low mood, anxiety, irritability and frequent crying after childbirth. Most recover naturally, but 10% to 20% of mothers experience depression severe enough to develop into postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can begin within days of childbirth or several months later, and if left untreated, it can last for more than a year.
Information from the Department of Psychiatry at Asan Medical Center states that postpartum blues usually begin within three to five days after childbirth and subside within about two weeks. In contrast, if the low mood continues for more than two weeks, emotional regulation becomes difficult, or daily life is disrupted, an evaluation for postpartum depression is necessary.

Postpartum depression is not limited to low mood. Anxiety, agitation, severe emotional changes, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, guilt and lethargy may also occur. Choi Yeon-soo's description that she "couldn't really control my anger" and experienced severe emotional changes overlaps with symptoms that can occur in postpartum mental health conditions. However, postpartum depression cannot be determined based solely on an individual's symptoms; an accurate diagnosis requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist.
The causes also cannot be attributed solely to hormonal changes. The National Center for Mental Health states that, along with rapid hormonal changes before and after childbirth, factors such as sleep deprivation, the burden of childcare, fatigue, family relationships, and the health of the mother and child may affect the risk of postpartum depression.

Postpartum blues are experienced by a substantial number of mothers. In the 2024 Survey on Postpartum Care Practices released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare last year, 68.5% of the 3,221 mothers who gave birth in 2023 said they had experienced postpartum blues after delivery. The proportion who had actually been diagnosed with postpartum depression was 6.8%.
The most commonly reported difficulty during the postpartum care period was sleep deprivation, at 67.5%. The proportion who said they had experienced low mood was 20.0%. Spouses were the most common source of help in relieving postpartum blues, cited by 57.8% of respondents, followed by friends at 34.2%, family members at 23.5%, and medical professionals or counselors at 10.2%.

Treatment for postpartum depression is determined by considering the severity of symptoms, whether the mother is breastfeeding, and her overall health. The National Center for Mental Health says that psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, may be used. If symptoms are severe, medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed in combination with psychiatric care.
Asan Medical Center also advises that if depressive symptoms seriously interfere with daily life or become severe enough to involve suicidal thoughts, medication, psychological counseling or psychotherapy may be provided after consultation with a specialist.
If postpartum blues last for more than two weeks, or if depression, anxiety or anger become severe enough to make daily life or childcare difficult, it is necessary to have the condition evaluated by a psychiatrist or an obstetrician-gynecologist. If symptoms become severe enough that a person thinks about harming herself or her baby, she should immediately seek help from an emergency medical facility or a specialized mental health institution.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter