HAVING A BABY IS AN AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE, BUT IT CAN TRIGGER A RANGE OF POWERFUL EMOTIONS FROM EXCITEMENT AND JOY TO FEAR AND ANXIETY.
The birth of a baby can also result in something unexpected: depression. It is not uncommon for most new moms to experience the “baby blues” after childbirth, which usually include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. These feelings are completely normal and usually begin to fade within a few weeks.
For some new moms, however, these feelings develop in to a long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. The intensity of these postpartum depression symptoms can make it difficult to care for your baby and yourself. This disorder should not be taken lightly. With prompt treatment, the symptoms can be managed.
Postpartum depression symptoms can vary from person to person and from day to day. They usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth, but can also develop during pregnancy, or even up to a year after birth.
Signs of postpartum depression may include:
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- Feeling sad or down
- Excessive crying
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Loss of appetite
- Less energy and motivation to do things
- Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Loss of interest in activities formerly enjoyed
- Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
- Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit that you could be suffering from postpartum depression. It is important to call your doctor as soon as possible and schedule an appointment. A doctor or other advanced practice provider is the only one who will be able to make a diagnosis and put together a treatment plan to help alleviate your postpartum depression symptoms.
Postpartum depression is commonly treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
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- Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is used as a way to help find better ways to cope with your feelings, solve problems, and respond to situations in a positive way. This type of therapy can help you make sense of destructive thoughts and offer strategies for working through them.
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- Antidepressants may be recommended by your provider, but you will need to work with her to weigh out the potential risks and benefits of these medications. If you are breastfeeding, any medication will enter your breast milk. Luckily, most antidepressants can be used while breastfeeding with little risk of side effects for your baby.
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- Ketamine for depression is a great alternative to conventional postpartum depression treatment options, which can take weeks to start working. Ketamine treatments work quickly, oftetimes within several hours or days, which can help you to restore that precious bond with your baby.
Vitalitas Denver, a leading ketamine treatment center, has a psychiatric nurse practitioner on staff who can help you determine the best options for postpartum depression treatment, whether it be ketamine infusions or a combination of traditional depression treatments. If you or a loved one is suffering from postpartum depression, there’s no reason to delay. Contact us, or complete the brief form below and take the first step towards better mental health and wellness.
