Though the exact causes of PPD are not fully understood, there is hope.
Working With A Postpartum Depression Therapist In Colorado
The truth is for many new moms the anticipation and excitement of having a baby (and all that comes with it) overrides the focus on mom and her needs and feelings. Most people don’t tell you that when you become a parent, not only will you meet your new little one, but also a new version of yourself. While the days following the birth of your child can be fascinating and joyful, it can also bring unexpected postpartum anxiety and depression.
The depression and anxiety you are feeling now can be addressed so you’re not alone in this important time in your life. As a maternal mental health therapist, I can help you learn how to help yourself while taking care of your new baby.
Postpartum Depression, or PPD, is characterized by symptoms that occur in the weeks after a woman gives birth. While many new mothers experience the “baby blues” right away, baby blues often subside within a few weeks and are different from a formal diagnosis of PPD.
In addition to the baby blues, new moms often experience anxiety as well. This is what’s known as a dual diagnosis. Anxiety and depression are friends and love to coexist. As a postpartum depression therapist, it is my goal to help new mothers navigate the various emotions and struggles that arise after giving birth.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “1 in 8 mothers in the United States experience postpartum depression.“
Symptoms of postpartum depression can include:
- feelings of hopelessness
- anxiety with panic attacks
- difficulty bonding with the baby
- mood swings, uncontrollable crying
- thoughts of wanting to hurt oneself or the baby
If you are a young mother, 25 years old or younger, research has shown that you are 30% more likely to develop postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum anxiety (PPA).
It is essential to seek help immediately if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or harming your child. While sleepless nights are very common with a newborn at home, anxiety and depression can increase with sleep deprivation.
The advice offered to everyone (that is often easier to say than actually do) is to prioritize your sleep and self-care routines as you can to help improve your mental health. That said, for most women with PPD, this is not often possible and therapy can help if you find yourself in this situation.
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
The exact cause of postpartum depression is not fully understood. Genetic predisposition, hormones, prior diagnosis of depression, and anxiety all play a role. If you experienced a traumatic birth, you are more likely to experience PPD or PPA.
In addition, one of the most common factors I see in my maternal health practice is feelings of generational trauma arising within new parents. Being a parent often makes us hyper-sensitive to the parenting styles we experienced in childhood. Anxiety sets in about not wanting to make the same mistakes we perceive our parents as having made.
Clients come to me reporting they have already dealt with their “stuff,” only to become parents and feel like there was more to unpack. Sleep deprivation and navigating many new roles increase feelings of PPD and PPA. If this is your situation, you’re not alone.
If you worked full-time before the baby, you might feel excited to have time off, only to learn that maternity leave is not time off! Becoming a new mother is like being thrown into the trenches of a high-level corporate role with no training manual. This role requires you to perform on little, to no sleep, while your body tries to heal.
If you are welcoming your second, third, or fourth child, you are juggling a newborn’s schedule with older siblings’ schedules, which often does not allow for nap time, down time or routine self-care.
Finally, A baby changes the dynamic of a partnership. Any significant life change may challenge communication and general happiness in a marriage. Keeping score of who has done what for the baby, the house, and the general functioning of a household can cause resentment within a partnership. All of which are great reasons to seek out therapy to get the support you need.
So how do you know if it’s Postpartum Depression or just a hard time?
Your OBGYN most likely explained that the hormonal changes you experience in the first two weeks after giving birth might cause the “baby blues”. Hopefully, you know that feeling overwhelmed, crying, or sad for reasons that may surprise you is expected in the first two weeks postpartum. If you are still experiencing irritability, extreme sadness, an inability to sleep even when the baby is sleeping, or extreme mood swings, you are more likely at risk for PPD.
Many mothers with PPD can express that they love their baby very much. Maybe getting pregnant was difficult, and they are ashamed that they do not feel the joy they thought they would once their baby arrived. Feelings of guilt AND feelings of joy are normal during this time.
An extremely rare condition known as postpartum psychosis occurs in 0.1 percent of new mothers. If the mother has a previous diagnosis of Bipolar disorder, the risk of this condition rises to about 30%. Symptoms include:
- Confusion and cognitive impairment may come and go
- Coming in and out of consciousness
- Extremely disorganized behavior
- Hallucinations or delusions
If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, it is essential to go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.
Postpartum Depression Therapy Techniques
One of therapy’s superpowers is that a mother has one hour to talk about whatever she wants, with no judgment. Never underestimate the power of scheduling that first appointment to see how you feel with and after seeing a therapist. If you have experienced a traumatic birth or have previous trauma in your life that motherhood has brought up, I offer a few therapy techniques that work well for PPD
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a clinically proven psychotherapy technique that allows clients to reprocess traumas without bringing up the intensity of the trauma.
- DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) Is a type of talk therapy that can help people who experience emotions very deeply. While it is known for helping those with Borderline Personality Disorder, therapists use it in many ways to help other mental health conditions.
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Is another clinically proven type of talk therapy based on the idea that we can change our behaviors by first changing our unhelpful thought patterns.
All are highly effective in postpartum therapy in that they help find a middle ground between the extreme fears a new baby may bring up and the desire to still live an independent, joyful life outside of motherhood.
Why Therapy Works Well For PPD
Becoming a new mother can feel very isolating. Coming to therapy to help ease your anxiety and depression gives you immediate adult interaction outside of taking care of a new baby. It is a safe place with an unbiased, trained professional who will not judge you for sharing your deepest fears. Maternal health therapy should leave you feeling better or at least more hopeful that the transition into motherhood is not only a life change you can handle but can find joy in.
If therapy is not for you or not available for you right away, you still must prioritize your self-care. Even if taking the time to read this article validates your feelings and makes you more aware that you are not alone, take the time to read more like it. Self-care with a newborn in the home looks different than it used to.
Be sure to:
- Prioritize sleep
- Take a daily shower
- Get outside for a 10-minute walk if the weather permits
- Join a local MOPS or Facebook moms group to help with feelings of isolation
These are small wins in self-care!
Finally, speak to your OB GYN or General Practitioner about your feelings and ask for medication to help bridge the gap until you find the right therapist.
While having a new baby can be a joyful, life-changing time, it can also bring unexpected postpartum fears, sadness, and even depression. Recognizing the symptoms of postpartum depression helps new parents understand the hormonal changes and transitions they’re experiencing without piling on additional confusing thoughts and feelings. Leaving room for focusing on a woman’s healing and the new baby’s needs.
Postpartum Depression Therapist: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Get Screened For Postpartum Depression?
If you feel you may have Postpartum Depression, talk with any of your healthcare providers immediately. Ask your OBGYN or General Practitioner for an appointment to discuss your symptoms and any possible referrals to a mental health specialist.
How Long Can Postpartum Depression Last?
When left untreated, Postpartum depression can last for some women up to three years after giving birth. In 50% of women receiving care for depression, symptoms were reported as lasting over a year after childbirth. Each case of Postpartum depression can vary in duration depending on various circumstances.
Does Postpartum Depression Come In Waves?
Yes, most women experience a variety of emotions during the Postpartum period. It is not uncommon for a new mother to feel baby blues in the first two weeks after giving birth, intertwined with feelings of joy, love, excitement and exhaustion. In the first year after giving birth many mothers feel highs and lows and everything in between while caring for their new baby.
