What is postpartum depression?

As a new parent, it is completely normal to have feelings of anxiousness, fatigue, and stress after having a child. Moreover, it is also normal to have feelings of apprehension and concern, such as wondering how to make the right decisions for your newly expanded family. Short-term sadness, which is brought on by after-pregnancy hormone changes among other things, is popularly known as “baby blues”. This typically lasts for a few weeks after giving birth.

However, if feelings of hopelessness, dread, sadness, and excessive worry continue to persist and escalate in severity, then you may have postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition. This condition is experienced by 10 to 20% of new mothers, typically in the first year after childbirth. Approximately 50% of cases begin during pregnancy. New fathers may also struggle with postpartum depression, with rates similar to those of mothers. While postpartum depression is most commonly diagnosed in the parent that gave birth, any new parent can be affected.

Postpartum depression is treatable. The need for treatment becomes critical if your symptoms of postpartum depression reach higher levels of severity. Severe symptoms include delusions or hallucinations, paranoia, confusion, or thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby.

If your doctor has diagnosed you with postpartum depression, it is imperative that you begin treatment immediately.

Brief facts about postpartum depression

According to the American Psychological Association, roughly 1 in 7 women will experience postpartum depression. Each year, roughly 600,000 women who experience live births are diagnosed with postpartum depression; women that have tragically miscarried or experienced a stillbirth account for almost another 300,000 diagnoses.

It is not just limited to birthing parents—adoptive parents also experience postpartum depression. In fact, the APA notes that 8% of adoptive parents experience severe postpartum depression.

Risk factors for postpartum depression include ongoing mood disorders such as anxiety or depression, a previous diagnosis of PPD, or socioeconomic risk factors such as poverty or lack of access to quality health care.

Postpartum depression therapy

Your doctor may recommend talk therapy or counseling as part of your postpartum depression treatment. Houston Psychotherapists has clinicians on staff that treat parents that are affected by postpartum depression.

When seeking treatment with one of our clinicians, rest assured that you will be in an environment to where you can be open and honest about your feelings. We want to help you give you the tools and support you need to overcome postpartum depression and build towards a healthier future for yourself and your family.

If you have been diagnosed with postpartum depression, we can help. Please contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians. Please note that our clinicians are not medical doctors and we do not prescribe medication.