Title:
Postpartum Depression Treated Successfully With Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine Sepia Officinalis: An Evidence–based Case Report

Authors:
Sivakumar Kothapalli, Memuna Panwala, Varshiny V P, India

Abstract:

Background: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a form of major depression that begins during pregnancy or within 4 weeks after delivery, as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The global prevalence of postpartum depression has been estimated as 100 to 150 per 1000 births, ranging from 10 to 15%. Postpartum depressive episodes are commonly characterized by persistent low mood, anxiety, panic, insomnia and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, including intrusive violent thoughts. The diagnosis of post-partum depression is based on the time between delivery and onset, along with the severity of the depressive episode. Antidepressants are the mainstay of drug treatment. Homoeopathy has convincing evidence in the treatment of depression. Case Summary: A 23-year-old primiparous female was reported to the OPD of the National homoeopathy research institute in mental health, Kottayam with complaints of apathy, weeping, indifference towards the child, with intense anxiety about the disease after delivery. Her condition was diagnosed as severe post-partum depression, fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria for PPD. She was treated in the in-patient department (IPD) with individualized homoeopathic medicine Sepia in LM potency. The severity of depression was assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) before, during and after treatment. The score was 31 at admission, which changed to 6 at discharge. The causal attribution for the outcome changes was assessed using MONARCH inventory for Homoeopathy. The score was +9, close to the maximum (13), showing a positive relationship between the intervention and the outcome. Therefore, this case emphasizes the positive role of individualized homoeopathic medicine Sepia in treating PPD.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2026.10502