Brussels: The European Commission has approved the drug Zuranolone, allowing women suffering from postpartum depression (PPD) to obtain a drug specifically designed to treat this type of depression within the European Union (EU). The new drug was approved following an evaluation conducted by the European Medicines Agency. According to Qatar News Agency, postpartum depression is a mental health disorder that can affect women after giving birth. Its symptoms include sadness, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty performing daily tasks and activities. The European Commission said in a press release Wednesday that this disorder can be severe and long-lasting, leaving negative effects on both the mother and her baby. It explained that the new drug, which is taken orally and is available only by prescription, can alleviate the symptoms of depression within two weeks of starting treatment. It should be noted that, to date, there are no approved medications to treat postpartum depression, and traditional antidepressants often take a long time to alleviate symptoms.