Postpartum depression is a common mental health condition in women following childbirth. And it’s estimated that 10% to 15% of new moms will experience postpartum depression during their first year of parenthood.

It’s a biological, psychological condition that can develop within the first few months post pregnancy and can be debilitating and sometimes even life-threatening.

The symptoms of postpartum depression vary from woman to woman but most commonly include making you feel sad, anxious and irritable. So, if you or someone close to you is struggling with postpartum depression, here are some signs and treatment options that may be helpful.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Many women deal with symptoms of depression after having a baby. That doesn’t mean you’re a bad mother, but it’s important to seek help if you’re experiencing these symptoms:

• Depressed mood
• Loss of interest in things that usually make you happy
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
• Loss of energy and inability to sleep
• Irritability, anxiety, anger, agitation, crying spells
• Recurring thoughts about death or suicide (thoughts that tell you this is the best way out)

If left untreated, postpartum depression can lead to:

• Loss of interest in your baby and family
• Irritability and crying fits that last for hours at a time
• Trouble bonding with your child by breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
• Changes in eating habits, such as becoming less hungry than normal or skipping meals altogether

Treatment of Postpartum Depression

If you’re experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.

1. Talk to Your Doctor

Postpartum depression often goes unrecognized in the first few weeks after childbirth, when symptoms may appear only in isolation or as part of sleep deprivation.

So, if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, talk to your doctor who may suggest therapy, which focuses on identifying feelings and emotions affecting your moods. Therapy can help you learn how to better communicate with your partner about your feelings and develop new coping strategies for dealing with those feelings.

2. Get Some Exercise Every Day

Exercising is a great way to help relieve postpartum depression symptoms and improve your mood. It can also help you with other aspects of your health, such as sleep and weight loss. Thus, you should be able to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity — such as jogging or brisk walking— most days of the week.

3. Try Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been used for centuries to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, and pain. Many physicians agree that hypnosis can be a useful tool in the treatment of postpartum depression because it can help you relax and calm you down when you are feeling overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings of sadness, isolation and loneliness.

Why Choose Blossom Hypnosis?

If you’re a new mom struggling with debilitating postpartum depression, emptiness, or anxiety, reach out our certified hypnosis expert Rekha Shrivastava at Blossom Hypnosis today!

Rekha is a professionally trained and reliable hypnosis expert committed to helping patients dealing with depression and anxiety. She can also help you identify underlying emotions and feelings to feel relaxed and at peace with stress and anxiety management treatment.

To schedule an online appointment today, give us a call at 585-281-2988.

Not ready to schedule an appointment? Learn how self-hypnosis can start your recovery from PTSD and depression.