Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth.

Postpartum depression symptoms can vary, but patients typically experience:

  • Extreme sadness
  • Anxiety
  • Exhaustion
  • Crying
  • Mood swings
  • And more
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Treating Postpartum Depression on Psychiatry.Live
Understanding Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that occurs after childbirth. Women with postpartum depression usually experience feelings of sadness and/or anxiety that tend to interfere with a mother’s ability to take care of herself and her family. Not all mothers develop postpartum depression, so the question remains: what causes postpartum depression?

This form of depression does not have a single cause, but instead can be brought about by a combination of physical and emotional factors. After childbirth, the levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in a woman’s body quickly drop. This drop in hormones can lead to chemical changes in the mother’s brain that may trigger mood swings.

Additionally, most mothers are unable to get the rest they need to fully recover from giving birth and this can lead to physical discomfort and exhaustion. Constant sleep deprivation can contribute to the symptoms of postpartum depression.

You and your online provider can help determine the severity of your postpartum depression and what type of treatment is needed, or if a referral to an in-person provider is required.

Diagnosing and Treating Postpartum Depression

Your Psychiatry.Live licensed therapists will work with you and determine the severity of your postpartum depression and what type of treatment is needed, or if a referral to an in-person provider is required.

During the online session, your provider will ask you a series of targeted questions to determine if your symptoms point to postpartum depression. Then your provider will proceed to determine the best treatment plan for you. Your provider may recommend an in-person examination if this is needed. Your treatment plan is based on the duration and severity of your symptoms and your medical history. Along with these questions, the provider may ask you if you’ve had thoughts about harming yourself or your baby and what kind of support system you have at home.

Once a diagnosis has been made, your provider will go over the risks and benefits of the various treatment plans.

Depending on the cause and severity of your postpartum depression, your treatment plan may include:

  • Counseling/Therapy: This treatment involves talking one-on-one with a mental health professional.
  • Medication: Antidepressant medication act on the brain chemicals that are involved in mood regulation.  Medication management will need to also take into account nursing and lactation.  Make sure you mention to your provider if you are nursing your baby or expressing milk.

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