Becoming a mother comes with many emotions that can range from joy to inadequacy, to severe depression. Healthcare providers can help diagnose mothers with Postpartum Depression (PPD) and treat their symptoms. Dealing with postpartum depression is not something you have to face alone. Feelings of depression or lack of maternal feelings are completely normal and should be taken seriously. Many Postpartum Depression sufferers don’t need therapy, but it can be helpful if you have other mental health issues that have worsened after birth.
Here are some best practices for dealing with postpartum depression and how you can cope with being a new mom and battling your mental health. Below are some items that are pharmacological and psychological methods.
1- Seek Support From Family And Friends
Talking about your emotions with a sympathetic person can help you process what you are feeling. Family and friends can offer support and help when you need it, but can only help when they know what you are dealing with. If family or friends are not available, finding a support group in your area can be another great resource. Other moms who are experiencing PPD can help validate your feelings or offer ideas.
2- Limit Places And People Of Comparison
While working with others can help to validate your feelings, hearing phrases like “When I gave birth I did..” or “I just pushed through when I was a young mom,” can be really damaging to moms with PPD. In the age of social media, the comparison is often more readily available and can be hard to escape. Setting clear boundaries will help.
Viewing other moms or families on social media can make it seem like people have all of it together when they really don’t. Having a dirty home, struggling to keep up with family get-togethers, or not dressing your child up for every holiday for a photoshoot is totally normal. Social media will say you need to be a supermom, but you don’t have to do everything all at once. Dealing with postpartum depression can be difficult enough without added pressure from outside sources and limiting social media can help.
3- Using Antidepressants
Some mothers can benefit from taking antidepressant medication to manage symptoms. If you are breastfeeding, you will need to speak with your doctor about the risks or what medications are safe for breastfeeding. Assuming that you can do nothing and just deal with your postpartum symptoms alone is naive. Putting off therapy or medication can make your symptoms worse. Help is available for dealing with postpartum depression.
If you feel like hurting yourself or your baby, get help immediately. Call 911 or the suicide hotline.
4- Celebrate All Small Achievements
Sometimes the best thing you accomplish in a day is giving yourself and the baby a bath. While some might not think of this as an accomplishment, celebrating every small victory can help in dealing with postpartum depression. Being overwhelmed is normal when caring for a new baby, so keeping the baby healthy and happy is the only achievement that matters.
5- Find Time For Yourself
As a new mom, it is still important to find time for yourself. Small actions like bathing, walking, eating, or sleeping are all ways you can take care of yourself while still being there for your baby. Taking time to do hobbies that you enjoy or spending time with friends can help you feel less isolated and stressed when dealing with postpartum depression.
Mothers who experience PPD may not know how to ask for help or what to ask for. If you are looking for a way to help a new mother, try offering to do specific tasks or bringing them a meal. This takes the weight off of their shoulders and will limit feelings of being a burden.
Therapy With Ogden Psychological Services
Our therapists are licensed to deal with a variety of symptoms and ranges of depression. Patients can benefit from seeking therapy with us or coming to us for medication purposes. Ogden Psychological Services wants you to have full control of your health and mental health.
Working to limit symptoms and enjoy being a mother is important to us. Our counselors work to improve your neuropathways while still helping you maintain your normal function. Contact our office to learn more about what each of our therapists can do for you and learn about the vibe of our office. We want to make sure you feel comfortable during each appointment so we are clear about our process from the beginning.
