what are treatment options for women who experience postpartum depression?

Medication

• Listen to your spouse and allow them to express their feelings without judgment.
• Don’t try to “fix” their feelings; validate what they are feeling and empathize as best you can.
• Help your partner understand that you don’t blame them for how they are feeling; postpartum depression isn’t their fault, nor is it yours.

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Therapy

The following are some of the top SSRI brands as well as their generic medication names:

• Celexa (citalopram)
• Cipralex, Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• Paxil, Seroxat (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Zoloft, Lustral ( sertraline)

Self-care

Postpartum depression is often treated with psychotherapy (also called talk therapy or mental health counseling), medication or both. Psychotherapy. It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.

Nutrition

Therapy for postpartum depression or anxiety helps you rise above your challenges and start moving towards your ideal life with less stress and more calm. During therapy you will acquire the skills you need to start taking care of yourself and to manage your stress.

How to help your partner through postpartum depression?

Which antidepressants treat postpartum depression?

How can I treat my postpartum depression?

Can therapy help improve my postpartum depression?

Which of the following treatments are proven to be effective in treating postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is often treated with psychotherapy (also called talk therapy or mental health counseling), medication or both. Psychotherapy. It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.

How do doctors treat postpartum anxiety?

The treatment options for postpartum anxiety are usually similar to those used for other types of anxiety disorders. Common treatments include: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Short-term talking therapy with a mental health professional to learn ways to change anxiety-producing thought patterns.

What medications are used to treat postpartum anxiety?

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most widely used and most researched medication for postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain.

What is the type of depression that can occur after a woman gives birth?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in some women after giving birth. According to the DSM-5, a manual used to diagnose mental disorders, PPD is a form of major depression that begins within 4 weeks after delivery.

What is post partum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby. It affects around 1 in 500 mothers after giving birth. Many people who have given birth will experience mild mood changes after having a baby, known as the "baby blues".

Is Zoloft good for postpartum anxiety?

For the most part, yes: Zoloft is a safe antidepressant to take while breastfeeding, according to G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB-GYN lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center. “If you have to medicate someone with postpartum depression or anxiety [who is also nursing], most doctors will go to Zoloft first,” he says.

What do they give you for postpartum?

The class of medications prescribed for postpartum depression is known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which includes fluoxetine and sertraline. Also effective is venlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

What medications are given postpartum?

They include oxytocin, misoprostol, ergometrine, carbetocin, injectable prostaglandins and combinations of these drugs, each with different effectiveness and side effects.

Does Prozac help with postpartum?

Many women who suffer from postpartum depression receive standard antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac. It is unclear how well these drugs work, however, because the neurotransmitter serotonin may play only a secondary role in the condition or may not be involved at all.

How can you prevent PPD?

Here are 10 tips to prevent it:Educate yourself. ... Sleep and eat properly. ... Exercise. ... Avoid making major life changes during or right after childbirth. ... Let your feelings be known in the delivery room. ... Enlist good support during birthing. ... Prepare yourself well for childbirth. ... Enlist household help during the postpartum period.More items...•

How does a woman change after having a baby?

Symptoms can include insomnia, anxiety, rapid heart rate, fatigue, weight loss and irritability (one to four months after birth) or fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin and depression (four to eight months after birth).

Why is postpartum so hard?

Birth is hard work for the body. Afterwards, a woman is exhausted, but usually cannot rest because the needs of the newborn baby come first. In addition, there are physical changes – the stomach, breasts and metabolism change abruptly.

How effective is IPT for postpartum depression?

Several studies, including one large-scale randomized controlled trial, have supported the effectiveness of IPT for treating postpartum depression. O’Hara and colleagues randomized 120 women with postpartum depression to receive 12 weekly 60-minute individual sessions of manualized IPT by a trained therapist versus control condition of a wait-list. 101 The women who received IPT had a significant decrease in their depressive symptomatology (measured by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory) as compared to the wait-list group, as well as significant improvement in social adjustment scores. In another study by Clark et al 35 women with postpartum depression were assigned to individual IPT (12 sessions) versus mother–infant group therapy versus a wait-list condition. 102 Both IPT and mother–infant group therapy were associated with greater reduction in depressive symptoms as compared to the wait-list conditions. Both studies support the effectiveness of IPT as a treatment for PPD, though there is not enough data to suggest a specific benefit to IPT compared with other therapeutic modalities.

How many mothers are affected by postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a major international public health problem that affects at least 1 in 8 mothers and their children in the year after childbirth worldwide. PPD may be more common and may be associated with more morbidity for both mothers and children in resource-poor countries.

What is psychosocial intervention?

As compared with IPT or CBT, psychosocial interventions are unstructured and nonmanualized, and include nondirective counseling and peer support. Nondirective counseling (also known as “person-centered”) is based on the use of empathic and nonjudgmental listening and support. In the first notable study evaluating this intervention, Holden randomized 50 women with PPD to 8 weekly nondirective counseling sessions with a health visitor or routine primary care. 108 A health visitor in the UK is a public health nurse who conducts home visits with pregnant and postpartum women. This study found that the rate of recovery from PPD for counseling (69%) was significantly greater than that of the control group (38%). In a similar study conducted in Sweden, Wickberg and Hwang randomized 31 women with PPD to receive six nondirective counseling sessions by child health clinic nurses or routine primary care. 109 As in the Holden study, a significantly greater percentage of women in the treatment group (80%) had remission of depression than in the control group (25%). Study limitations include the removal of four study participants, two in each group, for more intensive mental health services due to illness severity.

How does mother to mother support affect depressive symptoms?

In a pilot study, CL Dennis 113 evaluated the effect of mother-to-mother support as delivered over the telephone on depressive symptomatology in a postpartum patient population identified as at high risk for PPD based on EPDS score >9. Standard postpartum care in addition to individualized telephone-based peer support resulted in a significant reduction in depressive symptoms at 8 weeks. More recently, in a larger randomized multisite trial, Dennis and colleagues demonstrated that high-risk postpartum women who received telephone-based peer support over 12 weeks were at lower risk for developing PPD (as defined by EPDS >12) compared to a control group receiving usual care. 114 Due in part to the telephone-based nature of the study, the investigators were unable to confirm the findings from rating scales with structured clinical interviews.

How does depression affect a mother?

Untreated maternal depression is associated with serious morbidity for the mother, the infant, and the family system. Perinatal depression causes significant suffering in women at a time when personal or societal notions of motherhood as a uniquely joyful, if tiring, experience may be incongruous with the depressed woman’s ability to feel gratification in the mothering role, 13 connect with her infant, or carry out the often overwhelming tasks of caring for a new baby. 14 Such a disconnect can reinforce the disabling sense of isolation, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness that frequently characterize the depressed state. Women with PPD are at higher risk for smoking, 15 alcohol or illicit substance abuse, 16 and are more likely than nondepressed mothers to experience current or recent physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Although rates of suicide for women during pregnancy and the puerperum are lower than the general population, suicide is an important cause of maternal mortality. 17 Self-inflicted injury is the leading cause of one-year maternal mortality in the United Kingdom. 18 A recent World Health Organization report on women’s health identifies self-inflicted injury as the second leading cause of maternal mortality in high-income countries; suicide remains an important cause of maternal deaths in moderate and low-income countries. 19 Intrusive thoughts of accidental or intentional harm to the baby are common in the early postpartum time. 20 These thoughts are more frequent and distressing in women with postpartum depression; 21 however, nonpsychotic depressed women are unlikely to commit infanticide. 22

What are the symptoms of a postpartum depression episode?

However, studies suggest that depressive episodes are significantly more common in women in the first three months after delivery, 32 and an increased vulnerability to psychiatric illness may persist for a year or more. 33 It is important to differentiate PPD from other psychiatric and nonpsychiatric diagnoses. The “postpartum blues” or “baby blues” is a transient mood disturbance that affects up to 75% of new mothers in the 10 days following delivery, and consists of crying, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and emotional lability. Symptoms are generally mild and self-limited, and do not involve total loss of pleasure or interest, persistent low mood, or suicidal ideation. 34 On the other extreme, postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate intervention, and is characterized by the rapid onset of severe mood swings, a waxing and waning sensorium, delusions, hallucinations or disorganized behaviors, and a relatively high incidence of suicidal ideation or homicidal ideation toward the infant. 35 Women presenting with a depressive episode, mood elevation, or psychotic symptoms should be screened for any prior history of mania or hypomania to rule out previously undiagnosed bipolar disorder. 36 Anxiety disorders are common in perinatal women, and women may have depression comorbid with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. 37 Substance use and medical causes of psychiatric symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, should also be considered.

What are the risk factors for postnatal depression?

6, 7 Significant risk factors for PPD include a history of depression prior to or during pregnancy, anxiety during pregnancy, experiencing stressful life events during pregnancy or the early puerperium, low levels of social support 8 or partner support, 9 low socioeconomic status, and obstetric complications. 7 Although mental health often is not prioritized as a problem in poorer countries where access to basic nutrition and health care are not consistent, the evidence suggests that postnatal depression may be both more common and more grave for women and their children in low-income countries. The limited data from resource-constrained countries suggests that rates of depression in mothers of young infants exceeds 25%, 10 and in some settings may be as high as 60%. 11 The intersection of cultural, interpersonal and socioeconomic factors may also confer significant risk of PPD: in one study in Goa, India, risk for depression after delivery increased with economic deprivation, marital violence, and female gender of the infant. 12

What is the treatment for postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is often treated with psychotherapy (also called talk therapy or mental health counseling), medication or both. Psychotherapy. It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.

How to treat postpartum psychosis?

Treatment may include: Medication. Treatment may require a combination of medications — such as antipsychotic medications, mood stabilizers and benzodiazepines — to control your signs and symptoms.

What to do after first mental health appointment?

After your first appointment, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional who can create the right treatment plan for you . You may want to find a trusted family member or friend to join you for your appointment to help you remember all of the information discussed.

How to cope with feelings?

Through therapy, you can find better ways to cope with your feelings, solve problems, set realistic goals and respond to situations in a positive way. Sometimes family or relationship therapy also helps. Antidepressants. Your doctor may recommend an antidepressant.

What to do when someone offers to babysit?

If someone offers to baby-sit, take them up on it. If you can sleep, take a nap, or maybe you can catch a movie or meet for coffee with friends. You may also benefit from asking for help with parenting skills that can include caregiving techniques to improve your baby's sleep and soothe fussing and crying.

Can postpartum depression be chronic?

With appropriate treatment, postpartum depression symptoms usually improve. In some cases, postpartum depression can continue, becoming chronic depression. It's important to continue treatment after you begin to feel better. Stopping treatment too early may lead to a relapse.

Can postpartum depression be a short term condition?

Don't be embarrassed ― postpartum depression is common. Share your symptoms with your doctor so that a useful treatment plan can be created for you.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur after giving birth that are attributed to the chemical, social, and psychological changes associated with having a baby.

How long does postpartum depression last?

The symptoms generally occur quickly after delivery and are severe, lasting for a few weeks to several months.

What is PMDD in pregnancy?

Having a personal or family history of depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Limited social support. Marital conflict. Ambivalence about the pregnancy. A history of depression during pregnancy — 50% of depressed pregnant women will have postpartum depression.

How many women have postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is common. As many as 50 to 75% of new mothers experience the "baby blues" after delivery. Up to 15% of these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression, called postpartum depression, after delivery. One in 1,000 women develop the more serious condition called postpartum psychosis.

What are the symptoms of postpartum psychosis?

Symptoms include severe agitation, confusion, feelings of hopelessness and shame, insomnia, paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, hyperactivity, rapid speech, or mania. Postpartum psychosis requires immediate medical attention since there is an increased risk of suicide and risk of harm to the baby. Treatment will usually include admission ...

How long does it take for postpartum blues to subside?

The condition usually begins in the first week (one to four days) after delivery. Although the experience is unpleasant, the condition usually subsides within two weeks without treatment. All you'll need is reassurance and help with the baby and household chores.

What is the term for the shift in emotions after delivery?

Postpartum Depression. As many as 50 to 75% of new mothers experience a shift in their emotions called the “baby blues” after delivery. Up to 15% of these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression, called postpartum depression, after delivery. Women with postpartum depression may experience emotional highs and lows, ...

What is the best medication for postpartum depression?

Brexanolone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved brexanolone as the first drug designed specifically for postpartum depression. Unlike existing antidepressants, Brexanolone targets different areas of the brain and mimics hormones that are naturally produced in the body.

What causes postpartum depression?

Hormonal changes after giving birth, fatigue from lack of sleep, and other stressors may cause or contribute to postpartum depression.

What is the name of the therapy that involves meeting with a licensed medical professional to discuss what you're feeling?

Also known as talk therapy or counseling, therapy usually involves meeting with a licensed medical professional to discuss what you’re feeling.

Can you take antidepressants while breastfeeding?

Doctors may prescribe antidepressants to help treat postpartum depression. You should talk to your doctor about which antidepressant would work best for you. Some may carry side effects so be sure to tell the doctor you’re breastfeeding.

Is UPMC a psychiatric hospital?

UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in mental health clinical care, research, and education. It is one of the nation’s foremost university-based psychiatric care facilities through its integration with the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. UPMC Western Psychiatric is the hub of UPMC Western Behavioral Health, a network of nearly 60 community-based programs providing specialized mental health and addiction care for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout western Pennsylvania.

What to do for postpartum depression?

Finding a good family therapist or counselor is a great option for dealing with postpartum depression. Many people turn to counseling as a first option because of concerns over taking any kind of medication while breastfeeding. A professional can offer different types of therapy for dealing with your symptoms.

How to help depression after birth?

Giving birth causes a rapid drop in the amount of estrogen in your body, which contributes to your mood changes. Estrogen replacement therapy may help counteract this drop, easing some of your depression symptoms. This type of therapy may involve taking a pill or applying a transdermal patch directly to your skin. It can be administered alone, although it is usually given in combination with an antidepressant. Estrogen replacement therapy is not without its risks. Some reports indicate an increased risk for cancer. While estrogen replacement therapy may be effective, only a limited amount of research is available concerning its effectiveness and side effects. In some cases, a woman’s depression is related to an underactive thyroid. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe an artificial thyroid hormone, such as Synthroid. This will stimulate your thyroid and help regulate your hormones, helping you have more energy and feel better overall.

How long does it take for antidepressants to work?

Most antidepressants take a few weeks before you notice any considerable changes. It’s also important to know that many medications are transferred to your baby though breast milk, so if you are breastfeeding, you should discuss which antidepressants will be safe for you to take.

How to cope with being overwhelmed with a new baby?

Studies have also shown that getting plenty of sunshine can improve your mood. Exercising is also a mood elevator . Going out for a walk is a great way to get out of the house and take a break from everything when you’re feeling overwhelmed. You could also set up a time every day to have someone else take over care of the baby while you take a relaxing bath or have quiet time to yourself.

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you learn how to think about your body and your new baby in a positive way. Therapists can also help you have a healthier outlook towards your relationships and your new role, and they can provide you with effective tools to use when you feel like you can’t cope.

How to treat depression symptoms?

5) Using Antidepressants. If your symptoms are severe, or you have a history of depression, your doctor may decide to put you on an antidepressant. This type of treatment is often used in combination with counseling or hormone replacement. Most antidepressants take a few weeks before you notice any considerable changes.

How to deal with depression when having a baby?

First, make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. That can often be difficult to do with a new baby in the house, but if you aren’t well rested, the exhaustion that accompanies depression becomes more severe. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mood disorder that affects women after childbirth. Postpartum depression creates feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression and exhaustion that can greatly inhibit their ability to care for their newborn child.

How long does postpartum depression last?

Symptoms may intensify at first and ease within the months following. Postpartum depression symptoms may last up to six months after childbirth.

What is postpartum panic disorder?

Postpartum Panic Disorder: A type of postpartum anxiety that includes physical symptoms such as racing heart, tightening chest, hyperventilation, dizziness, weakness, and other extreme symptoms.

How do doctors diagnose postpartum depression?

Doctors will also make a diagnosis as to the severity of the condition and whether it’s short-term postpartum baby blues or something more severe.

How does postpartum affect marriage?

Postpartum depression can greatly affect relationships and marriages. Because the moods and behaviors of those affected change so drastically in a matter of weeks, it can place incredible concern or strain on the other partner.

What are the factors that contribute to postpartum depression?

Significant changes in hormones combined with physical and emotional exhaustion and sleep deprivation can significantly contribute to postpartum depression. A mother’s history of depression and mental illness or a family history of depression and mental illness are possible risk factors for postpartum depression.

What tests do doctors use to diagnose depression?

Doctors use other diagnostic tools such as a depression screening questionnaire. Doctors may also order a blood test to rule out other medical conditions such as a thyroid disorder. Doctors may also use several other types of tests to rule out other possible medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

How do I know if I have postpartum depression or if what I’m feeling is normal?

Trust your instincts. If you think something is wrong, it probably is. That doesn’t mean anything terrible is happening. It may mean you are overwhelmed or overloaded and need some downtime so you can get things back on track.

Is there anything else I can do to help myself feel better?

Yes! You can stop blaming yourself and feeling guilty. Transitioning into motherhood or adding a new baby to the family is very difficult on its own but when you are experiencing postpartum depression that transition becomes so much more difficult.

What Are The Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?

If you are feeling emotional after giving birth, it is important to determine the severity of your symptoms.

Why Do Women Experience Postpartum Depression?

Your body and mind changes a lot after giving birth. Sometimes you need help adjusting to life as a mother.

Am I at Risk for Postpartum Depression?

Most new mothers assume they will not get postpartum depression, but it is still good to be aware of the risks.

What Treatment Options are Available?

Talk therapy is one of the several treatment options available for postpartum depression.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Coping and Support

Preparing For Your Appointment