Postpartum Depression

Is postpartum depression different from the baby blues?

The baby blues commonly causes symptoms such as mild mood swings, restlessness, and anxiety. These feelings start after delivery and they’re short-lived, lasting just a week or two before disappearing.

The baby blues aren’t anything like postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a severe mental health condition that may not improve without therapy.

Though postpartum depression usually begins in the first month after having your baby, your depression may begin late in your pregnancy or months after delivery.

What symptoms develop due to postpartum depression?

Though all the symptoms of postpartum depression have a significant impact, one of the most heartbreaking is a new mom’s struggle to bond with her new baby. Postpartum depression disrupts the ability to bond, causing women to withdraw and think they’re not able to care for their babies.

Since postpartum depression is a major depressive disorder, you have similar symptoms, including:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless
• Crying for no apparent reason
• Feeling moody or irritable
• Eating too much or not enough
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Having persistent, upsetting thoughts
• Experiencing sudden rage or anger
• Feeling extreme fatigue
• Worrying that you may hurt the baby or yourself

Postpartum depression can also cause physical problems, such as headaches, muscle aches, and nausea.

Is postpartum depression associated with anxiety?

You can definitely feel anxious as part of your postpartum depression. Postpartum anxiety can also appear on its own even if you don’t feel seriously depressed.

How is postpartum depression treated?

The Thrive Counseling Services, LLC team offers compassionate and holistic care for postpartum depression. After talking with you and learning about your symptoms, they may recommend therapy alone or together with integrative approaches that improve your emotions, mind, and body.

The team has extensive experience in therapies that lift your mood and help you overcome postpartum depression. They may also help you establish a lifestyle plan incorporating balanced eating, exercise, and steps to improve your sleep if needed.

Holistic therapies range from massage, mindfulness, and yoga to setting aside time to relax and connect with your partner. Your therapist may also teach you relaxation techniques and suggest setting goals that give you a purpose for each day.

Don’t wait for postpartum depression to go away on its own. Call Thrive Counseling Services, LLC, or book an appointment online today.

Emily Walton is an Eating Disorder Specialist, who treats patients for past traumas, eating disorders, and offers therapy sessions. Call us to book your appointment today.