Escitalopram (Lexapro) for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Inclusion Criteria: * Women ages 18 to 45 years old * Subjects must meet criteria for a major depressive episode with symptoms developing within three month of live childbirth * Subjects must present within six months of childbirth * MADRS score \>15 * BAI score \>10 * Subjects will be able to be treated on an outpatient basis * Subjects will be able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects who have taken any psychotropic medication, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, within the past two weeks (with the exception of non-benzodiazepine medications used for sleep, including trazodone, zolpidem, eszopiclone, etc) * Suicidal ideation with active plan or intent, as determined by the investigator * Presence of psychotic symptoms or homicidal ideation * History of mania or hypomania * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Presence of chronic depression or dysthymia, or chronic or treatment resistant anxiety disorders, as determined by investigator * Active alcohol/substance abuse currently or within the past year * Abnormal TSH, severe anemia, or uncontrolled hypertension