When you experience the miracle and joy of childbirth, you can expect a lot of powerful emotions. You may feel excited, overwhelmed, fearful, or even anxious, but one emotion you do not expect to feel is depressed. Having a baby is a life-changing life transition. It is normal to experience worry or doubt, especially as a first-time parent; however, more extreme symptoms, such as severe mood swings and frequent crying spells, may signal that you are struggling with Postpartum Depression, often referred to as PPD.
PPD is a type of depression that occurs after someone gives birth. It is important to note that postpartum depression does not just impact the birthing person- it can also impact the other parent, surrogates, and adoptive parents. After having a baby, adults can experience hormonal, physical, emotional, financial, and social changes. These changes can trigger symptoms of PPD.
If you have PPD, please know that you are not alone. It is not your fault, and there are PPD therapists out there who can assist you, making you feel like your best self again. When you work with a therapist for PPD, you can learn how to effectively manage your symptoms.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Utah.
What is Postpartum Depression?
PPD is a complex mixture of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that can occur after a woman gives birth. Postpartum depression is a major form of depression that typically occurs within 4 weeks after delivery. The diagnosis of PPD is based on this time length, but also on the severity of one’s symptoms.
During pregnancy and after the birth of your baby, the hormones in your body are rapidly changing. The female reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone, increase highly during pregnancy. However, they drop sharply after you deliver your child. It is said that, by 3 days after your delivery, your estrogen and progesterone levels are back to what they were prior to pregnancy. The link between this drop and depression is not well-known, but these chemical changes can certainly alter your mental health.
Additionally, the social and psychological changes that come along with having a baby can increase your risk of depression. If you are struggling with the major life transition of having a baby, read our blog “The Best Ways to Cope with Life Transitions“ for some support.
After delivery, many women experience the “baby blues”, but this differs from Postpartum Depression.
What are the “baby blues”?
The baby blues are feelings of sadness that you may experience in the first few days after having a baby. It is estimated that 4 in 5 parents experience the baby blues.
Baby blues only lasts a few days to a week or two after your baby is born.
Some symptoms of baby blues may include:
Mood swings
Sadness
Irritability
Feeling overwhelmed
Crying
Reduced concentration
Appetite problems
Trouble sleeping (If you struggle with insomnia, check out our blog “How CBT Can Help With Your Insomnia” for more information)
If you’re interested in learning more about the baby blues and how it is different from Postpartum Depression, our blog “The Difference Between Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression” is a must-read.
How are the symptoms of Postpartum Depression different from symptoms of the baby blues?
At first, PPD can be mistaken for the baby blues. However, the important distinction with Postpartum Depression is that the symptoms last longer and are usually more severe. The severity of these symptoms begin to interfere with your ability to care for your baby and yourself. You may find it difficult to complete daily tasks no matter how routine they are.
PPD symptoms typically develop within the first few weeks of giving birth. However, symptoms may also begin earlier, perhaps during pregnancy, or later, up to a year after giving birth.
Some symptoms of Postpartum Depression may include:
Depressed mood or severe mood swings
Fear that you are not a good mother (If you are struggling with feelings of inadequacy, read our blog “How to Cope with Mommy Guilt” for help)
Restlessness
Severe anxiety
Panic attacks (If you are struggling with panic attacks, read our blog “How to Manage a Panic Attack”)
Feelings of worthlessness, shame, inadequacy, and guilt
Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
Withdrawing from your family members and friends
Crying too much
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
Inability to sleep (also known as insomnia) or sleeping too much
Less interest and pleasure in activities you once enjoyed doing
Intense irritability and anger
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Thoughts of death or suicide (Feeling suicidal? Help is only a phone call away at the free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988)
When PPD is left untreated, it can last for many months or even longer.
What are the risk factors for PPD?
Any new mom can experience Postpartum Depression- it does not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity, or race. PPD can also develop after the birth of any child, not just your first baby.
Your risk for Postpartum Depression increases if…
You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other points in your life
You have Bipolar disorder
You had Postpartum Depression after a previous pregnancy
You have family members with depression and/or other mood disorders
You have experienced stressful events during the past year (e.g., pregnancy complications, job loss, and so on)
Your baby has health complications or other special needs
You have difficulty breastfeeding
You’re having problems with your spouse or partner - If you and your partner are struggling to adjust to your “new life”, read our blog “Building A Stronger Relationship With Your Partner Post-Baby”
You have a weak support system
You have financial problems
You struggle with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - If you have PMDD, check out our recent blog “Why You’re Depressed Around Your Period: All About PMDD” for more information
When your PPD is left untreated, it can cause issues within your relationship or problems with the whole family unit.
How can untreated Postpartum Depression impact my life?
As a mother, untreated PPD can last for months or longer if untreated. Sometimes, it can morph into an ongoing depressive disorder. You may begin to have issues breastfeeding, and you may experience roadblocks when it comes to connecting to your baby.
For your partner, PPD can have a ripple effect, causing emotional strain to anyone who is close to you or your baby. When you are depressed, the risk of depression for the other baby’s parent increases as well.
As your child grows up, an intended consequence of untreated PPD can be emotional and behavioral problems. This can manifest as sleeping problems, eating difficulties, delays in language development, and so on.
What can I do to cope with my PPD?
PPD impacts 1 in 7 women, yet 1 in 5 women do not disclose their symptoms to loved ones or professionals, therefore they are left untreated. Unlike baby blues, it is rare for PPD to go away on its own.
Postpartum Depression is a treatable mental disorder. It can be managed effectively and, the sooner you seek help, the better you will feel. You do not have to struggle with postnatal depression on your own, and having PPD is not a fatal flaw.
Continue reading this blog if you want to find ways to feel like your best self again!
Speak To A PPD Therapist
Speaking to a therapist for Postpartum Depression is a great first step if you are experiencing PPD.
In PPD therapy, you will…
Discuss your concerns and feelings
Set manageable goals
Learn how to respond to situations in a positive manner
PPD can make the already-stressful life transition of childbirth feel even more difficult and overwhelming. The sooner you seek the help of a depression therapist, the sooner you will be able to enjoy your new baby and motherhood.
At Anchor Therapy, we have PPD therapists who are trained in maternal mental health, and can assist you. As a parent, you may find it difficult to get to our Hoboken office for in-person sessions, so we also offer teletherapy, or virtual therapy sessions. Telehealth sessions have been proven to be just as effective as in-person sessions.
If you are interested in learning more, read our blog “Your Guide To Online Therapy.”
2. Take Care of Yourself
When you become a parent, it can feel like self-care goes out the window. Your primary concern becomes your child and your family which can leave you feeling like you have little time to care for your own needs. However, when you take care of yourself, it is one of the best ways to prevent or relieve PPD.
Simple and realistic lifestyle changes can improve your health and mood.
Some examples of lifestyle changes you can make to feel more like yourself again include:
Get outside - Exposure to sunlight and fresh air has been shown to improve one’s mood. Even if you do not feel physically put together, stepping outside for just 10 to 15 minutes can make a world of a difference.
Pamper yourself - Take a small slice of time out of your day to indulge yourself. This can be something as small as lighting your favorite candle or watching an episode of your favorite tv show.
Exercise - Studies have shown that exercise can combat Postpartum Depression. Exercise can relieve stress, improve your mood, boost your energy, and promote better sleep. While working out is a great way to ease the symptoms of PPD, it is important to not overdo it. You should slowly reintroduce exercise into your daily routine, and talk to your doctor each step of the way.
Nap - We often hear the saying “sleep when your baby sleeps”, but life is not that simple. Getting sleep with a newborn is a tricky task. In fact, it is known that women with PPD often take a longer time falling asleep. Oftentimes, the lower the quality of sleep, the more severe the form of Postpartum Depression. If you have trusted family members and friends who can watch your baby so you can get some rest, be sure to enlist their help
3. Build A Support Network
Human beings are social creatures and, just because you had a baby, does not mean that you need to be locked up in the house 24/7. Having social interactions and positive emotional support can be a protective factor in helping to reduce your stress levels and deal with whatever life has to offer.
When you take a new role like motherhood, you can feel lonely or overwhelmed. Receiving social and emotional support can help you cope with problems on your own since it boosts your self-esteem and sense of independence.
If you are struggling to form new connections and friendships, do not give up. You should aim to seek out other women who are going through the transition of motherhood with you. It can be reassuring when you hear that people are going through the same feelings, worries, and insecurities as you.
Here are some resources for social connection after delivery:
Baby and toddler classes
Local moms Facebook group
Apps (Like Peanut)
Therapy groups
4. Build A Secure Bond With Your Baby
While this may seem obvious, it can be hard to connect with your baby when you have PPD. Emotional bonding is the secure attachment between parents and children. When successful bonding occurs, it means that your baby feels safe enough to develop fully. A healthy bond also affects the way in which your baby communicates.
For a secure bond to form, you must be in tune with your child’s needs and emotional cues. These can be little gestures, such as picking your baby up and soothing them when they are crying. When you become a dependable source of comfort, your child learns how to manage their own feelings and behaviors.
Some parents feel an instant rush of love as soon as they have their baby and, for other parents, it takes time to adjust. Either route is 100% okay, and you should not be shamed for your feelings. Attaching to your baby in a healthy manner takes time.
Here are some ways you can strengthen the bond between you and your baby:
Skin-to-skin contact - Skin-to-skin contact relaxes both you and your baby, and enhances your bond
Singing - Whether you have the voice of Beyonce or self-identify as the worst singer in the world, singing can engage with your child by providing them with a sense of sensory stimulation. It can also serve as a distraction for you from your PPD
Smiling - Research has shown that babies lose their reflex smile and reveal their real smile between 6 and 12 weeks of age. When your baby smiles, areas of your brain associated with rewards will light up
Having PPD is not a weakness. Many women go through it, and a lot of women do not reach out for help. In fact, seeking help is a brave step in the right direction. The highs and lows of PPD can feel isolating, but there are always options to get help. If you are struggling, do not hesitate to reach out to us today to work with a therapist for Postpartum Depression so you can start feeling like your best self again!
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager, Intake Coordinator, and Office Manager at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark. In her roles, Victoria is committed to managing the office’s social media presence and prioritizing clients' needs.
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