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How to Overcome Postpartum Depression
What is postpartum depression? Symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) are sometimes easy to confuse with those of normal postpartum fatigue and the emotional upheavals after the birth of a baby. Are you feeling down, unmotivated, irritable, short-tempered, or just removed from everything? Does nothing give you pleasure anymore, not even the things you used to enjoy? Do you find yourself angry at your baby and worried you may snap at him or her? Or perhaps not even your baby's cries are enough to motivate you to do anything? Have you been feeling this way for most of the day each day for more than the past two weeks? You may be suffering from a form of clinical depression called postpartum depression, which affects women and sometimes men after the birth of a baby. What's the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression? Mood fluctuations after the birth of a child are absolutely normal. Some of these mood fluctuations may be rather extreme, especially in the first weeks after the birth. The main difference between baby blues and PPD is the intensity and the duration. Basically, some level of sadness, irritability, and even anger are absolutely and totally normal. However, if these feelings are debilitating, and interfere with daily life, and last for longer than 2 weeks, then you cross the line from normal to needing help. Who is at risk for postpartum depression? Those who have a history of depression, or a history of depression in the family. Those who are formula feeding rather than breastfeeding. Smokers. Those with traumatic birth experiences or difficult postpartum circumstances. Those without an adequate support system to help them take care of their baby. Single parents. Those with financial difficulties. Do YOU have postpartum depression? Take this self-reporting test for postpartum depression to see if your symptoms fulfill the criteria. Shouldn't you be able to "just snap out of it?" Actually, no. Recognizing that what you are feeling has a name and is an actual problem is the first step and it may help to make you feel better. However, the most effective treatment for PPD is to seek support, both professional and social, and possibly taking medication. Talking to a professional who is familiar with postpartum issues would be helpful. You can try your doctor, your midwife, a lactation consultant, a La Leche League leader, or a doula. These people should be able to refer you to appropriate counseling professionals in your community. Combined talk therapy and antidepressant medication is the most effective treatment of depression of any kind. If you are still breastfeeding your baby, you may be reluctant to take any medications. You'll be happy to know that most antidepressant medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Zoloft is the first choice of antidepressant medication for breastfeeding mothers. Click here for more information about zoloft and breastfeeding. How to overcome PPD? 1. Realize that you have a problem.2. Ask for help.3. Seek therapy.4. Take antidepressant medication.5. Change your circumstances. Since your motivation is the first thing that depression knocks out from under you, it can be really tough to make the first step. Ask for help so you can make that first step. Get help I am a psychologist and a doula. I have many years of experience counseling new mothers in all sorts of life circumstances. I offer Skype appointments. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with me, click here to read more about my professional services and fees.
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