Are you curious about the available treatment for postpartum depression?...
Are you curious about the available treatment for postpartum depression?
There are many treatments out there.
Once you have been screened and confirmed to have the condition, options include but are not limited to, pharmacological treatment, electroconvulsive therapy, bright light therapy, omega-3s, psychotherapy, acupuncture, and massage.
This article will provide information to those who think it might happen to them, are already diagnosed, and are people who suspect postpartum depression is the issue.
People need to receive treatment for postpartum depression not just for themselves but for their families.
Keep reading to learn about treatment for postpartum depression.
Another option for treatment for postpartum depression, which has been proven effective and safe, is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Now, this medical procedure is used with major depression where antidepressants have proven to be treatment refractory.
ECT causes a brief seizure through a mild electric current under anesthesia.
The anesthesia is important to cancel out discomfort the procedure would otherwise cause.
Before ECT you may have an electrocardiogram; imaging tests on your spine, brain, and skull; and/or urine and blood tests.
ECT is often portrayed inaccurately in television shows and movies, therefore please do not base your potential experience on what you have seen in them!
There is bright light therapy, an attractive option because risks to the nursing infant have not been found.
It was first introduced to treat the seasonal affective disorder.
In studies, those with postpartum depression showed serious improvement over time in their depressive symptoms.
Omega-3 is found in fish oil, and participants involved in a study where they took it experienced a significant decrease in their symptoms.
A healthcare professional and yourself may agree that pharmacological treatment is appropriate.
In this case, antidepressants would be prescribed.
Common antidepressants used for the treatment of postpartum depression include tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
The reason for antidepressants would be to regulate your mood by balancing your brain's chemicals.
If you feel frustrated while on medication, remember that it takes many antidepressants at least three or four weeks to work.
Other medicines may be needed as well.
For example, if your depression includes anxiety, then you may want to take antianxiety medicine.
If you breastfeed, medicine will enter your breastmilk.
However, it's generally a low amount of the medicine that transfers, and members of the medical community find several antidepressants to be safe.
Another option for treatment for postpartum depression, which has been proven effective and safe, is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Now, this medical procedure is used with major depression where antidepressants have proven to be treatment refractory.
ECT causes a brief seizure through a mild electric current under anesthesia.
The anesthesia is important to cancel out discomfort the procedure would otherwise cause.
Before ECT you may have an electrocardiogram; imaging tests on your spine, brain and skull; and/or urine and blood tests.
ECT is often portrayed inaccurately in television shows and movies, therefore please do not base your potential experience on what you have seen in them!
There is bright light therapy, an attractive option because risks to the nursing infant have not been found.
It was first introduced to treat seasonal affective disorder.
In studies those with postpartum depression showed serious improvement over time with their depressive symptoms.
Omega-3 is found in fish oil, and participants involved in a study where they took it experienced a significant decrease with their symptoms.
Talking is crucial, and that's where psychotherapy comes into treatment for postpartum depression.
One might find cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to be useful.
This type of therapy focuses on altering emotions and behaviors that cause the individual's problems.
CBT addresses and questions the thoughts behind those emotions and behaviors.
Interpersonal therapy is also an option. Whilst generally short-term is focuses on an individual's relationships.
Acupuncture is when a practitioner inserts and manipulates needles into various points of the body.
It can reduce depressive symptoms. A person wishing to try acupuncture needs to ensure that the acupuncturist has experience with postpartum depression to get the best possible care and hopefully avoid adverse reactions.
It has been found that massages have significantly improved depression in recipients.
Even infants can get massages, which would be especially helpful if the mother has been unable to care for them because of postpartum depression.
Through massages, infants have been able to improve their sleep patterns and crying habits.
If you elect to not treat your postpartum depression, then it can be dangerous.
Untreated postpartum depression will not only affect you, but those around you, and of course your baby.
Untreated individuals may have thoughts of hurting themselves, believe they can't care for the baby or themselves, are moody, lack energy, and might not be able to make decisions or focus.
Many people unfortunately turn to substances for symptom management. Examples of these substances are alcohol, cannabis, and opiates.
You may also find you don't establish a connection with your baby and can't bond with them.
Postpartum depression may lead you to neglect your baby's overall care, including pediatrician visits.
They could have social-emotional problems and developmental delays. This is why it is important to seek professional help!
We hope this article has helped you navigate options leading to treatment for postpartum depression.
There is a wealth of treatment options in existence, and it is not limited to what has been mentioned here.
We would be here all day if we went over everything that has proven to be effective.
Again, seeing a healthcare professional is the first step to treatment. If you think you have this condition, don't delay treatment.
It is what you need to do not just for yourself but for your new family member.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3039003/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depression
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2022/10/postpartum-depression.php
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
The duration of depression counseling varies for each individual, depending on the severity of their depression and their progress in therapy. Our therapists will regularly assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Yes! In fact, it's encouraged that you open up to your therapist so they can gain deeper insight into your individual situation and develop the most effective treatment plan possible that works best for you. Your therapist is there to serve as an unbiased source of support who will respect any thoughts or feelings shared within the session without judgment or criticism.
Therapy provides many benefits for people battling depression. Research has shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective in managing depressive symptoms. In addition, therapy can teach healthy coping skills and provide emotional support during difficult times. It may also be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan which includes medication as well as lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and improved nutrition.
Yes! There are many effective natural remedies that may be beneficial in managing depressive symptoms, such as participating in regular physical activity, changing your diet, getting adequate sleep, practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, journaling about your feelings/thoughts/emotions, seeking out social activities/support groups with other individuals struggling with similar issues
It's important to remember that you are allowed to grieve however you need to, and that doesn't mean you have to ruin the holidays for everyone else. If you need to take a break from holiday festivities, do so. Go for a walk, take a nap, watch a movie—whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. You can also try talking to your family about your grief ahead of time and asking for their understanding and support.
While medication is not always required for managing depression, it can be beneficial in some cases. If you decide that medication is right for you, medications such as antidepressants work by balancing certain brain chemicals involved in regulating moods. Other options include mood stabilizers or antipsychotic drugs which may also prove helpful for certain individuals struggling with symptoms of depression.
