How do I know if my friend has postpartum depression?

It's not wise to diagnose other people, friends, family or not. Only that person knows what they are experiencing, how they feel, what they are thinking. You should have a conversation with this person before you continue talking about them behind their back. Say something like "I'm worried about you. Can we talk? How are you feeling lately?" When appropriate say, "I've gotta be honest: I'm worried you might have postpartum depression. I'm worried about my friend and I'd feel better if you read some postpartum material with me, or looked into it on your own time."

Postpartum depression looks different (it effects all women that have it differently) so it is not that easy as just looking at your friend and "knowing" she has postpartum depression. being a new mum can be isolating, challenging and even a little scary at times. Speaking with your friend and being there for her is the best way for her to feel comfortable to open up to you if she is feeling a it more than the baby blues, and if she does open up to you and let you know she might be struggling, support her and help her get help, speaking with her dr or a therapist might be a good idea for her. if you are worried about your friend and you have tried talking to her but you still feel unsure then there is this website http://www.postpartumprogress.com/the-symptoms-of-postpartum-depression-anxiety-in-plain-mama-english I would still say speaking with your friend is the best way to help her and to know what is going on with her though.

Only a professional (psychologist / psychotherapist / psychiatrist) can diagnose your friend, but you can see some of the symptoms which can make you suspicious about it and it is a good sign to look for help. You should look if your friend showing any depression symptoms for example: low self-esteem, persistent sadness, anxiousness or feeling od emptiness. Does your friend feel worthless or hopeless? Has suicidal or self-harm thoughts? Feels inadequate in taking care of the baby? Problems with sleep? Stopped self-caring? There's more signes which can make you worry about your friends condition. As I said. If you're seeing that something is wrong, you should contact with someone who can help professionally. I hope that i've helped you :)

if she feels overwhelmed, guilty if she is irritable and cries Depends how well she seems to bond with her baby

Look for any major changes in him/her after childbirth. They may have great sadness, low energy, may be very tired, be irritable, have anxiety, might not be eating well or eating more than they normally do and may have crying episodes.

may have a detachment to the baby, may show a lack of self care (dirty clothes, unkempt hair etc), crying, unable to sleep, lack of emotions. sadly, postpartum depression can look different depending on the person and the severity so the most important thing is to just look for things that are out of the ordinary while keeping in mind that having a new baby can make everything a little out of the ordinary

there are a lot of symptoms to look for when understanding post part depression, feelings of sadness or hopelessness are some of the first signs. It is normal for a new mom to be tired and overwhelmed but losing interest in activities or reduced social interactions is a sign for concern. If your friend is also continuing to worry and stress about being a good mom this might be a sign of postpartum depression. It is important to monitor these symptoms and if they don't diminish in 2 weeks it is best to find your friend a mental health professional. This professional can talk to your friend about these feelings and help her work through this hard time. It sounds like you are a really good friend and she is lucky to have you in her support system.

Check in with her, and ask open ended questions like 'how are you feeling' and 'what have you eaten today?' If you are concerned about her answers, straight out ask 'do you think you could be experiencing postpartum depression?' If you have the space to be of support to her ask 'how can I best support you during this time?' Things that can often be appreciated are: Offer to make meals, get groceries, or drive her to doctors appointments. Ultimately, know it is not your responsibility to 'save her from depression.' That is beyond your control. Extending support can be gracious, make sure you are not trying to replace professional medical / psychological support.

Oftentimes, asking directly yet sensitively is the best approach. Especially for something like postpartum where the parent/guardian's main focus is their child rather than their own wellbeing. Assuming or imposing a diagnosis on your friend, even if you happen to be correct is tricky because it could corner them or come across as if it appears they are doing something wrong in their newfound parenthood. They would likely appreciate you being there for them and that first step could just be acknowledging their struggle as a new parent/guardian and offering your genuine support and care. We don't know anything for sure until it comes from the source(s) itself, so why not go to them! You got this!

If he starts to withdraw from activities, and when he goes to the doctor and gets his tests done, the results will show.