Are you caring for your newborn and not feeling quite like yourself? Are you thinking Why am I still feeling sad after having a baby? You may be experiencing postpartum depression. And you are not alone.
Last week we talked about ‘Baby Blues’ and how roughly 80% of new mothers will experience some form of mood disturbance – – sadness, anxiety, and/or feelings of overwhelm due to their new role as a mother. These moms usually begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks.
But if you’re a new mom and it’s been more than two weeks of sadness, you may be experiencing Postpartum Depression.
Still Feeling Sad After Baby
If you’re still feeling sad after 1 to 2 weeks of having a newborn, you are not failing as a mother. You have done nothing wrong. You are not alone if you haven’t bonded with your baby. If you’re feeling hopeless, sad or unmotivated, it’s not something you did or didn’t do. These are typical symptoms of postpartum depression.
It’s important for you, or your family, to recognize the symptoms of postpartum depression as early as possible. The symptoms are as follows:
- Sadness that lasts longer than two weeks following delivery
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
- Difficulty caring for your baby due to overwhelming feelings of despair
- Things that used to make you happy no longer make you feel happy
- Frequent bouts of crying
- Anxious feelings that lead to anxiety and panic attacks
- Lack of motivation
- Loss or increase in appetite
- Sleeping too much or difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty with concentration
- Thoughts of death and suicide
These feelings may be new to you and it may be frightening. The good news, though, is postpartum depression is very treatable. Contact your doctor and seek counseling. Talk therapy is extremely effective in treating the symptoms associated with postpartum depression.
You can start feeling better and feeling like you again. You can enjoy being a mother just like you had hoped. Talking helps.
Therapy for New Moms in Canonsburg, PA
My office is warm and inviting. It’s a place where we can sit, grab a drink, relax and just talk.
If you have any questions or would like to get to know me a little better, please call (724) 503-6670 or email me at admin@inthenowcounseling.org.
