Do you think you may be experiencing postpartum depression?
Are you wondering why you feel so awful following the birth of your baby? After all, just a few weeks ago you were absolutely ecstatic thinking about the new life that would be joining your family. You read about pregnancy, newborns and motherhood. Clothes and supplies were shopped for. You decorated the nursery and dreamed about what it would be like to be a new mom. A lot of thought was given to your birth plan and you wrote and rewrote it hoping to create the most special birthing experience. If you are already a mom, you may have been delighted at the thought of your growing family and how happy you were to give your child/children a new sibling.
Now, just days or weeks after all of this excitement, you may feel like your joy has come to a screeching halt. You don’t feel happy. In fact, you feel extremely sad. You may be feeling a way you’ve never felt before and it may be frightening.
What Does Postpartum Depression Feel Like?
You know that bonding with your baby is important, but it’s not happening like you imagined it would. Feelings of guilt overwhelm you because aren’t you supposed to feel overjoyed when you have a new baby? Waking up to care for the baby at night or getting out of bed in the morning may feel like torture.
People have been telling you, “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” yet even though you are exhausted you can’t seem to fall asleep. The tasks you have to complete each day to care for the baby and your family seem endless and you may dread the thought of having to repeat them all day after day. It’s possible that you’ve gotten to the point where you can’t care for your baby or other children because of your feelings of despair.
You may have noticed that you’ve lost your appetite. Even though friends and family are sending delicious meals and goodies, none of it appeals to you. Or, your appetite may have increased to where you can’t stop eating and are constantly searching for something to eat that’s going to make you feel better.
Thoughts of never being able to do something enjoyable for yourself or with your partner fill your mind. After all, just getting ready to take the baby to his/her first pediatrician appointment took you hours to prepare for. Tears are brought on frequently and you question if you ruined your life. Feelings of anxiety overcome you and you find yourself constantly worrying. You may have experienced an anxiety or panic attack for the first time. You may be wondering why you wanted to have a baby. Sometimes you may question if your baby and family would be better off if you weren’t here.
Has Your Partner and/or Family Noticed That You are Struggling?
If your partner and/or family members have noticed that you are struggling, they may have dismissed it by saying, “It’s normal. It’s just the baby blues.” This may be correct, as the ‘baby blues’ occurs in about 80% of new moms. But, it’s important to recognize the differences between ‘baby blues’ and postpartum depression.
Difference Between ‘Baby Blues’ and Postpartum Depression
‘Baby Blues’ occurs within the first few days following delivery. Moms typically feel better within 1-2 weeks from giving birth. Common symptoms are:
- Feelings of being cranky, anxious and overwhelmed by your responsibilities
- Lack of interest in eating, caring for yourself and doing things you typically enjoy due to pure exhaustion.
- Changes in mood going from feeling very happy and excited to feeling very sad. You may cry frequently, but your mood swings back to feeling okay.
‘Baby Blues’ occurs due to the hormonal shift in your body following delivery. Lack of sleep combined with adjusting to the demands of caring for a newborn are also factors in why women experience these symptoms.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression presents with the following symptoms:
- 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
Treatment
The good news is that postpartum depression is very treatable. If you think you may be experiencing postpartum depression, contact your doctor and seek counseling. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you will start to feel better. Your doctor may suggest starting you on an antidepressant. Whether or not you choose to take medication to treat your postpartum depression, research shows that talk therapy is highly effective in treating the symptoms of postpartum depression.
Please call Ann Marie Hefferan at (724) 503-6670 or email admin@inthenowcounseling.org if you have any questions about postpartum depression or would like to schedule an appointment. Ann Marie is seeing clients in her office in Washington, PA, as well as via online sessions.
You don’t have to suffer alone. You can feel better and begin enjoying your baby and motherhood!