Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
For some women, the joy of giving birth is too quickly replaced by feelings of anxiety or depression. Many new moms experience mild symptoms of sadness or emotional ups and downs (known as the “baby blues”) for a few weeks after childbirth. However, about one in seven new mothers suffers from a more serious and disabling condition known as postpartum depression. This can occur anytime within one year of childbirth. Baby blues should resolve by the third week after delivery. If you are not feeling like yourself after that, it is time to give me a call. It is important to note that even if you don't think you are depressed or suffering from a clinical level of anxiety, the transition to motherhood can be much more difficult than expected. I am here for you too!
The feelings associated with postpartum mood disorders can be devastating for new moms as they wonder why they are feeling so sad or anxious during what she thought would be a happy time. Mother's deserve to be emotionally supported thru the adjustment to motherhood. Postpartum depression affects the whole family, not just the mother. If a mom is struggling to cope she is likely to have more difficulty bonding and caring for her newborn, caring for other children and may not be taking care of herself.
Symptoms of a perinatal mood disorder (depression, anxiety and OCD):
• Feelings of sadness, fear, agitation, anxiety, panic (any or all of these)
• Mood swings, irritability, and rage
• Tearfulness and crying spells
• Having difficulty sleeping, or sleeping all the time
• Fatigue, exhaustion, lack of energy
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Feelings of inadequacy or guilt about your ability to be a good parent
• Having thoughts of harming your baby or yourself, or other intrusive thoughts
OCD Symptoms
• Obsessions, also called intrusive thoughts, are repetitive thoughts or mental images regarding the baby. These thoughts are very upsetting
•. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors used to attempt to reduce fears and obsessions. This may include things like needing to clean constantly, checking things many times, counting or reordering things.
If any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks and interfere with your daily life, you should seek help. A postpartum depression screening, which consists of ten questions about how you are feeling, is available at CPPS and takes only a few minutes to complete. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please seek medical attention immediately. Postpartum therapy can help you to understand what you are feeling and can help you to regain control over your life. Statistics show that 80 percent of women who seek treatment will recover from postpartum depression within a year, but only about 30 percent will get better without help. The sooner a mom with a perinatal mood disorder gets treatment (with someone specifically trained to treat PMADS), the shorter the duration of symptoms.
Benefits of postpartum support:
• Symptom relief - through proper assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication (if warranted.) With proper treatment you will feel better!
•. Gain confidence in your role as a caring and competent parent.
•. Decrease your isolation and guilt
•. Improve your relationship with your spouse and create a happier, healthier family environment.
Risk Factors
There are factors that predispose women to PPD. These factors include: previous history of anxiety/depression, loss of a parent during childhood, financial stress, additional life changes such as a relocation or job change, marital conflict, unplanned pregnancy, prior pregnancy loss, infertility, complicated pregnancy and/or traumatic delivery, poor infant health, weak support system, difficulties with breastfeeding, perfectionism, previous trauma or postpartum depression.
The feelings associated with postpartum mood disorders can be devastating for new moms as they wonder why they are feeling so sad or anxious during what she thought would be a happy time. Mother's deserve to be emotionally supported thru the adjustment to motherhood. Postpartum depression affects the whole family, not just the mother. If a mom is struggling to cope she is likely to have more difficulty bonding and caring for her newborn, caring for other children and may not be taking care of herself.
Symptoms of a perinatal mood disorder (depression, anxiety and OCD):
• Feelings of sadness, fear, agitation, anxiety, panic (any or all of these)
• Mood swings, irritability, and rage
• Tearfulness and crying spells
• Having difficulty sleeping, or sleeping all the time
• Fatigue, exhaustion, lack of energy
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Feelings of inadequacy or guilt about your ability to be a good parent
• Having thoughts of harming your baby or yourself, or other intrusive thoughts
OCD Symptoms
• Obsessions, also called intrusive thoughts, are repetitive thoughts or mental images regarding the baby. These thoughts are very upsetting
•. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors used to attempt to reduce fears and obsessions. This may include things like needing to clean constantly, checking things many times, counting or reordering things.
If any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks and interfere with your daily life, you should seek help. A postpartum depression screening, which consists of ten questions about how you are feeling, is available at CPPS and takes only a few minutes to complete. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please seek medical attention immediately. Postpartum therapy can help you to understand what you are feeling and can help you to regain control over your life. Statistics show that 80 percent of women who seek treatment will recover from postpartum depression within a year, but only about 30 percent will get better without help. The sooner a mom with a perinatal mood disorder gets treatment (with someone specifically trained to treat PMADS), the shorter the duration of symptoms.
Benefits of postpartum support:
• Symptom relief - through proper assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication (if warranted.) With proper treatment you will feel better!
•. Gain confidence in your role as a caring and competent parent.
•. Decrease your isolation and guilt
•. Improve your relationship with your spouse and create a happier, healthier family environment.
Risk Factors
There are factors that predispose women to PPD. These factors include: previous history of anxiety/depression, loss of a parent during childhood, financial stress, additional life changes such as a relocation or job change, marital conflict, unplanned pregnancy, prior pregnancy loss, infertility, complicated pregnancy and/or traumatic delivery, poor infant health, weak support system, difficulties with breastfeeding, perfectionism, previous trauma or postpartum depression.
If you are experiencing a PMAD, you are not a bad mother, but you would benefit from treatment. The first year of a baby’s life is a time of special milestones. Everyone wants to be able to enjoy their baby’s first giggle, first word or first step, but postpartum depression can rob new moms of those experiences. Licensed therapist Pamela Allon can help you to overcome postpartum depression and anxiety allowing you to feel better sooner and bond with your baby.
