Ashley Tisdale is getting candid about the postpartum depression she experienced after becoming a mother, sharing how the condition affected both her mental health and her marriage. Her story is highlighting an experience many new parents face, often while struggling to understand what is happening.
Tisdale welcomed her first daughter, Jupiter, with husband Christopher French in March 2021. During an appearance on French’s Recovering podcast, the actor and mom of two described experiencing intense postpartum depression and anxiety after Jupiter’s birth.
The experience also put significant pressure on her marriage. “I tried to divorce you so many times,” Tisdale told French, explaining that he remained calm and understood that the difficult period would eventually pass.
Tisdale said she initially believed she had PMDD rather than postpartum depression, leaving her confused about why she felt so unlike herself. She ultimately received a postpartum depression diagnosis when Jupiter was around 2 years old.
How Common Is Postpartum Depression?
Tisdale’s experience is far from unusual. According to PostpartumDepression.org, 11.9% of U.S. mothers reported postpartum depression symptoms in 2023—roughly 1 in 8 mothers, or more than 430,000 women each year.
The condition can also begin before a baby arrives. About 6 in 10 depressive episodes identified in the weeks following birth actually began during pregnancy or even earlier, showing why mental health support shouldn’t stop once a baby is born.
Despite how widespread postpartum depression is, many mothers don’t receive help. Only about 1 in 4 mothers experiencing symptoms receives a diagnosis, while roughly half receive no postpartum mental health care at all.
Recognizing Postpartum Depression and Getting Help
Postpartum depression can look different from the temporary “baby blues.” Women’s Health.gov says feelings of sadness, anxiety or being overwhelmed that last longer than two weeks may signal postpartum depression, particularly when they interfere with everyday life.
Possible warning signs include persistent sadness, anger, guilt, hopelessness, changes in sleeping or eating, withdrawing from loved ones and losing interest in activities once enjoyed. Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby require immediate professional attention.
The good news is that postpartum depression is treatable. Therapy, support groups, medication, rest and practical help from partners, family and friends can all play a role, and parents experiencing symptoms should talk with a doctor, midwife, nurse or other healthcare professional.
