I am 5 months postpartum and just now having depression issues (fatigue, anti-social tendencies, irritability, increased appetite). My history is as follows: I have a 4 year old and had untreated postpartum depression. I now have a five month old and have been taking antidepressants since my 36th week of pregnancy. No symptoms have shown up until now. Interestingly enough, this is time (between 4-6 months) that my depression peaked with my first pregnancy. Since I am already on antidepressants, what can I do about this? Is it common for the depression symptoms to come later? Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I am so tired of dealing with this.

Perhaps you could have a medical condition such as postpartum thyroditis. It is very common and can cause later onset symptoms such as you describe - both physical and psychological. In postpartum thyroditis, you can shift between hyper and hypothyroidism. I actually have hyperthyroidism, which onset after my second son. The symptoms were rapid heart rate, weight loss, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, increased appetite, night sweats, and frequent bm's. After I was referred to the endocrinologist, he said a patient was diagnosed after being admitted to the psych section of the hospital and was totally normal after treatment.

Well, you are not alone. I am also a mom who took an antidepressant from 3 wks postpartum and then had depression (and psychosis) issues later. During my first pregnancy, I first noticed heightened depression at 5 or 6 months postpartum (without meds), and then during the second the same thing happened, even though I was taking Prozac. In my case, I had a complete psychotic break and had to be hospitalized after the 2nd baby quit nursing at 11 mos. I know that this is very rare. What I would recommend to you, however, is that you see a psychiatrist if you can, to regulate your antidepressant rather than just your OBGYN. You might need a higher dose. I certainly wish I had done so much earlier than I did. In any case, see a doctor. And hang in there.