Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression can cast a dark cloud over an exciting chapter in your life, and you may not even understand why you feel the way you do. Serving the Washington, DC, metropolitan area in Bowie, Maryland, the licensed mental health care providers of The Modalities Group help women navigate the challenges of postpartum depression through effective therapeutic techniques and counseling. Call the mental health center today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about postpartum depression.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a specific type of depression that can occur after a woman gives birth. Many women experience “baby blues” after childbirth. The baby blues can cause mood swings, crying periods, and anxiety for days after giving birth, but these emotions tend to resolve after a few days. Postpartum depression is a longer-lasting effect that can evolve into a mood disorder. 

Are there different types of postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression isn’t a black-and-white condition. It affects every person differently. While some women display severe mood swings, others experience subtle emotional and physical changes they may not realize result from postpartum depression.

There are three main types of postpartum depression:

Baby blues

Baby blues symptoms can last for up to two weeks after you give birth. Symptoms may include anxiety, crying spells, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression can develop days or weeks after childbirth and last up to one year. The signs are similar to baby blues but typically more intense. Excessive crying, trouble bonding with your baby, severe anxiety, and panic attacks can interfere with your life.

Postpartum psychosis

While rare, postpartum psychosis is a severe disorder that can develop within one week of childbirth. Postpartum psychosis can cause extreme paranoia, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, and disorientation.

What causes postpartum depression?

Hormonal changes directly influence how you feel after childbirth. While the hormones estrogen and progesterone are plentiful during pregnancy, most women experience a sharp decline once they give birth. This drop in hormones can cause severe depression, anxiety, sadness, and other symptoms of postpartum depression.

While nearly all women experience hormonal fluctuations after childbirth, some are more likely than others to develop postpartum depression. Risk factors for postpartum depression include:

• Lack of sleep
• Bipolar disorders
• Anxiety
• Difficulty breastfeeding
• History of depression
• Stress
• Financial difficulties
• Relationship conflicts

Having twins, triplets, multiples, or a baby with special needs can also increase your risk of postpartum depression.

What are the treatments for postpartum depression?

The best treatment for postpartum depression depends on the type you have, your symptoms, and the severity of your condition. The team may recommend psychotherapy, or talk therapy, to help relieve symptoms of postpartum depression. Many women also respond well to medications and other forms of therapy.

Call The Modalities Group today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about postpartum depression.