Postpartum depression is depression that many women experience after having a baby. It commonly begins in the first few weeks after giving birth. It’s a type of clinical depression that appears as:
It’s normal to some degree to have these feelings the first few days or weeks after giving birth, but if your symptoms continue for several weeks or months, it’s cause for more serious concern.
The exact cause is unknown, but as hormone levels change during pregnancy and after childbirth, they may produce chemical changes in your brain that lead to depression. Additionally, women who have a history of depression may be more likely to experience postpartum depression, too. Stress, not having a good support network of family and friends, and anxiety about being a new mom may also contribute to postpartum depression.
Like other types of clinical depression, postpartum depression responds well to treatments that include counseling, antidepressant medications, or even hypnosis that can help you manage symptoms naturally. Through hypnosis, you can learn to enter a relaxed state of being so you’re better able to manage your emotions and understand your feelings. Dr. Anbar and the team at Center Point Medicine use hypnosis to help you handle the normal stresses of being a new mom, and teach you skills for calming yourself and resolving symptoms on your own.
Getting regular exercise and establishing a support network of friends, family, and other mothers who face similar challenges are also helpful ways of coping with feelings of loneliness or being overwhelmed after giving birth. Walking is good for your physical and emotional health, and if you do it with friends, you may feel less isolated, too.
If you recently gave birth and you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, hope is just a phone call away. Call the Center Point Medicine office in La Jolla, California, or contact the office online to schedule an appointment.
