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.