There is no single cause of Post Natal Depression. Contrary to what many people believe, PND is not “just hormonal”, because fathers and adoptive mothers can suffer from it too. A combination of factors can contribute to the condition, such as:

 
• being a perfectionist,  
• lack of support,  
• a traumatic birth,  
• financial and other stress,  
• loneliness,  
• an unsatisfactory relationship with the baby’s father  
• a previous history of depression.
  A woman is vulnerable when she has recently given birth and the combination of too many stress factors at this time causes some women to develop PND.
  Provided by ArmMed Media
  Revision date: June 20, 2011
  Last revised: by Janet A. Staessen, MD, PhD