Giving birth to a child is an event rightly celebrated around the world and by all cultures. You, as a mother, have brought into this world a new person that will one day grow up and take his or her place in society. Nevertheless, while these niceties often are at the forefront of mother’s during their pregnancy, there is a condition that is gaining attention after being misconstrued for centuries.

Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can occur in mothers’ that have recently given birth to a child. The rush of hormones that was pregnancy now comes crashing down, leaving the new mother with a strange mixture of feelings that is akin to clinical depression. Common symptoms include sadness, irritability, lack of appetite, disinterest in your infant, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Postpartum depression treatment is evolving and there are now several options to consider.

While hormonal changes occur after every pregnancy, the risk of postpartum depression is often exacerbated by environmental factors such as an unstable home situation, a poor partner or financial difficulties. The real concern with postpartum depression is that it not only harms the mother but the infant can also be affected, resulting in stunted emotional growth, trouble bonding with people, stress and anxiety. For this fact alone, treating postpartum depression is vitally important.

 

Counseling:

One of the most effective treatments for postpartum depression is counseling. Typically this is done under the supervision of a medical professional and includes your partner for support and understanding. Beating postpartum depression requires the full support of your partner. Commonly called interpersonal therapy, counseling in this manner allows you to not only feel more comfortable dealing with the changes occurring to your body after pregnancy but allows your partner to voice his or her concerns, thereby allowing a mutual support system to grow again.

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy:

Another type of therapy is cognitive-behavior therapy which focuses more on the mother. This type of therapy works towards allowing the mother to deal with her feelings on her own. Therapy like this is about accepting one’s new condition and how these changes have altered yourself while still embracing your core values and providing you with the emotional and mental tools necessary to push on forward and grow as an individual.

Medication:

Further treatment options for postpartum depression include antidepressants. Medication like this can harmfully impact a nursing infant but special antidepressants can be prescribed by your doctor that allow you to overcome your postpartum depression without damaging the physical health of your new child.

Going through postpartum depression can be extremely trying. However, do not begin labeling yourself as a bad mother for having feelings of sadness, remorse and depression after your pregnancy. The rollercoaster of hormones that constitutes a pregnancy comes to a screeching halt once birth has been given. If you have this condition you are simply suffering from a change of body chemistry. There are options for postpartum depression treatment so be sure to talk about all of the options with your doctor.  You are not an unfit mother and feelings akin to postpartum depression affect a large percentage of women after they have given birth. You are not alone.

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