Treatment options for Depression & Anxiety after baby

Know your options

I’m so sorry you’re struggling.  I want you to know that it does not mean you’re a bad mom.  Up to 80% of new moms experience the Baby Blues and 20% experience depression or anxiety during the first year of baby’s life, so you are not alone.  If you want to know more about Baby Blues, Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety, click on each link for my previous blog posts. Here are some of the best options available that can help you get through these hard days.

Self-help

Self-help is more than just reading a book.  Self help our first line of defense, where you draw on all those skills you already know that help you to feel better. This is not just knowing  the skills but actually doing them!  Here’s what I mean:

-Educating yourself on what to expect during pregnancy and postpartum is super helpful.

-Taking care of yourself physically.  Try eat well and rest your body. You are recovering from some major stuff! I know it’s cliche, but “sleep when the baby sleeps”  I know that baby’s naptime is often the only window to work on that to-do list, but sleep deprivation is real and affects everything else.  None of these other ideas will work well if you’re not getting sleep. If you can’t sleep during the day, at least find some time to lay on the couch and just rest.  Your body will thank you.

-Asking for help.  Chances are that you have a group of people around you who are more than willing to help, they just don’t know what to do.  Maybe your mother-in-law thinks it’s helpful to hold the baby, but you really just need her to wash the dishes. So ask! Or the ladies at church keep bringing you dinner, but you’re dying for a nap.  It’s hard to ask for help, but people are usually very willing to help, but they can’t read your mind. Don’t be shy about asking for what you need.

-Talking about it.  You are absolutely not the only mom to go through this.  Talking to other moms about your struggles can be helpful! And talking to your partner about how you’re really feeling will help him understand what’s going on and support you.

Talk therapy

Okay, so you’ve done all you know how to do and you still feel  crappy. Now what?! It may be time for more professional help. If you feel like talking to your therapist is exactly the same as talking to a friend, then you need a better therapist.  You need to have a good relationship with your therapist, but he/she should provide you much more than just a listening ear.

In therapy, I educate my clients about postpartum depression and anxiety.  Then I teach them skills for how to overcome these challenges. This can be little tricks for getting more rest, working through mom guilt & perfectionism, and how to talk with your spouse.  It’s skills like how to change your thinking and what to do when you get triggered. You should walk away from each session feeling like you have something specific you can work on, and hopeful about recovery.

Medication

Postpartum conditions can be very biological.  Your body has gone through so much! Hormones crash after delivery and then change again with nursing.  Not to mention the strain from pregnancy, delivery, and sleep deprivation. Babies are really hard on moms’ bodies!! And this is true on the hormonal level as well.  

Sometimes you may be doing everything “right” and still feel depressed.  Medication is a safe and effective way of treating this. I always recommend starting with talk therapy or doing them concurrently for 2 reasons.  1) often therapy provides enough relief that medication is not necessary and 2) medication takes 6-8 weeks to take full effect (and that’s if you got on the right med the first try!) Together therapy and meds are a powerful duo.

Many women are hesitant to take medication during pregnancy and while nursing as it may affect the baby.  These are valid concerns, so please have a candid conversation with your prescriber about the risks. There are lots of options for antidepressants and antianxiety meds that are safe for both you and baby during this time, but certainly there is always a risk.  Keep in mind that you basically have 3 options:

-Expose the baby to possible effects of medication

-Expose the baby to negative effects of depression

-Wean the baby, and start medication

Each of these options has its drawbacks, so be thoughtful about what is right for you and your family.

Alternative treatments

Therapy and medication have the most research as to their effectiveness, but they are certainly not the only options! The most well-researched alternative methods for postpartum depression include: Exercise, Massage, Acupuncture, Essential Oils, Light Therapy, Doulas or Home Visitors, and Nutritional Supplements including Omega-3 Fatty Acids. All of these methods are considered generally safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, so it is often beneficial for women to add one or two to their treatment regimen. Talking with your medical or mental health provider can help you determine which options are best for you.

With help, you will be well.

I love the PSI Motto, “You are not alone. You are not to blame.  With help, you will be well.” As you can see, there are tons of different treatment options.  Each woman is a little different, so it’s good to talk with a professional who really knows her stuff and can guide you to making the best decision for your family.  Having experienced it myself, I can tell you that things will get better! There is hope! You don’t have to feel like this forever and soon you will flourish into the mother you want to be.  

Call me so that we can pull you out of this hole and set you on the road to feeling better!