Many women experience postpartum depression after their baby is born. Unlike “baby blues,” which begin within the first 2 to 3 days after birth up to two weeks, postpartum depression is a long-term condition.
If you have postpartum depression and co-occurring mental health issues like substance use disorder (SUD), reach out to Otter House Wellness in Asheville, NC.
We provide comprehensive, personalized care for people seeking mental health treatment.
About Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression or PPD is a mental illness affecting new mothers during the postpartum period (after childbirth).
This type of depression can interfere significantly with your ability to handle daily tasks, including caring for your baby.
Having postpartum depression isn’t a weakness or character flaw. It’s just a result of being a new mom.
Moms needing support for postpartum depression should reach out to Otter House Wellness. We provide evidence-based and compassionate maternal mental health support tailored for new mothers navigating PPD.
Key Facts on Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects millions of women around the world.
Key facts about postpartum depression include:
- Postpartum depression affects up to 15% of women, or 1 in 7 new moms.
- The risk of developing postpartum depression increases to 30% each pregnancy if you’ve had the condition before.
- Symptoms include feelings of guilt and inability to care for yourself or your baby, irritability and fatigue, and frequent crying. These symptoms may range from mild to severe and can appear within a week of delivery or up to a year later.
- Primary care providers may diagnose PPD by asking you to complete a depression-screening questionnaire during your pregnancy and after birth.
- Baby blues is the least severe type of postpartum depression. It lasts about 10 days and is less intense. Meanwhile, postpartum depression can last weeks or months and has more severe symptoms.
- A severe form of PPD is postpartum psychosis (PPP). PPP requires immediate medical attention since there’s a higher risk of suicide and harm to the baby. Symptoms include severe agitation, hallucinations, and delusions.
- Women with postpartum depression may engage in substance misuse, highlighting the importance of dual diagnosis treatment.
- Risk factors for PPD include having a personal or family history of depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), gestational diabetes, epidural anesthesia, and disliking the new baby’s sex.
- Counseling or talk therapy can help prevent PPD, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
What Causes Postpartum Depression to Form?
The causes of PPD are complicated. Several factors can cause PPD, including:
- The rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone hormones after delivery may cause PPD. More research is needed to determine the link between these hormonal changes and PPD.
- Hormones produced by your thyroid may also drop sharply, causing you to feel sluggish. This change in hormone levels can lead to PPD.
- The psychological and social changes linked to having a baby increase your chance of developing PPD. Examples of such changes include lack of sleep, physical changes to your body, changes to your relationships, and worries about parenting.
- Emotional factors such as the pressure to be the “perfect parent” and identity loss can trigger emotional distress, leading to PPD.
People who are struggling financially and experience relationship problems are at a higher risk of postpartum depression.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Symptoms of postpartum major depression vary between individuals. However, common symptoms of PPD include:
- Excessive crying
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Severe mood swings or depressed mood
- Trouble sleeping or oversleeping
- Feelings of shame, worthlessness, or guilt about being a bad mother
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Eating much more than usual or loss of appetite
- Intense anger and irritability
- Thoughts of harming your baby or yourself
- Recurring thoughts of suicide or death
Types of Postpartum Depression
Not all postpartum mood disorders look the same. Here’s a breakdown of common types and their symptoms.
Postpartum Blues/Baby Blues
Postpartum blues or baby blues affect 70-80% of new mothers. It starts within a few days of delivery. Usual symptoms include irritability, mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, and tearfulness.
Most baby blues cases are mild and short-term. They usually resolve on their own within 2 weeks.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression develops within four to six weeks after birth. It may also appear any time in the first year after delivery.
This condition shares symptoms with baby blues, but lasts longer and is more intense. It requires professional treatment.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a rare psychiatric emergency that can happen in the first 2 weeks after childbirth.
It causes delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and other behavioral changes. Other symptoms include severe confusion, racing thoughts, and loss of inhibition. In severe cases, mothers with PPP may try to hurt themselves or their baby.
Women with a history of mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder have a higher chance of developing postpartum psychosis than others.
Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety is a mood disorder affecting 11 to 21% of mothers after delivery. It’s characterized by irrational fears and excessive worry that can disrupt daily life.
Many signs of PPD overlap with postpartum anxiety, like feeling afraid, heart palpitations, and disrupted sleep.
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is triggered by traumatic childbirth conditions, such as an emergency C-section and complications.
Every year, postpartum PTSD affects 6.6 million mothers and 1.7 million fathers.
The main risks for this condition are:
- Depression in pregnancy
- Poor health or complications during pregnancy
- History of sexual abuse or trauma
- Mental health problems
- Lack of support during birth, and
- Obstetrical complications
Complications of Untreated Postpartum Depression
Leaving PPD untreated can affect the mother, baby, and the other family members. Complications include:
- Chronic depression in the mother
- Relationship strain or breakdown
- Developmental delays in the baby
- Impaired mother-infant bonding
- Increased risk of substance use or self-harm in the mother
- In severe cases, suicidal ideation or infanticide (in psychosis cases)
Getting support early can prevent long-term consequences and help the mother and child thrive.
Postpartum Depression Treatment at Otter House Wellness
If you’ve been diagnosed with postpartum depression, we at Otter House Wellness can help.
We specialize in compassionate, personalized mental health treatment for individuals navigating the challenges of parenthood.
Here are the treatments and programs we provide to help mothers with postpartum depression.
Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Otter House Wellness’ outpatient programs allow you to receive regular treatment while continuing to live at home and care for your child.
We provide various outpatient treatment options, including:
- Partial hospitalization: The highest level of treatment for mental health and addiction problems are partial hospitalization programs (PHP). These are best for people with severe forms of postpartum depression, like postpartum psychosis and postpartum PTSD.
- Intensive outpatient: The second-highest treatment level for mental health and addiction issues is our intensive outpatient program (IOP). It’s ideal for people who still require consistent support while transitioning back to daily life.
- Outpatient: Our traditional outpatient programs provide flexible medication management and therapy for people with milder forms of postpartum depression. People in this program spend more time at home or work than in therapy.
Medications
Health care professionals often prescribe medications when PPD symptoms are moderate to severe. Common PPD medications include:
- Antidepressants like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors).
- Brexanolone (Zulresso®), which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically to treat postpartum depression. Breastfeeding is not recommended during and for 4 days after getting brexanolone infusion therapy.
- Zuralanone is also FDA approved for treating perinatal depression. It can be used alone or with oral antidepressant medications. Zuranolone passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor to see if you should breastfeed while using it.
While taking medications, you’ll be closely monitored by our psychiatric providers for side effects and symptom improvement.
Therapy
Therapeutic support is a cornerstone of recovery for women with PPD and other mental disorders. We offer:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps challenge negative thoughts and reframe emotional responses.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on resolving relationship conflicts and role transitions.
- Talk therapy (psychotherapy) refers to treatments involving conversation with a trained mental health professional to treat mental health issues.
- Trauma-informed therapy is for those with birth trauma or PTSD.
- Couples or family therapy improves communication and support systems.
All sessions are provided by licensed mental health professionals.
Find Hope Again from PPD at Otter House Wellness
PPD symptoms can be challenging to deal with, especially if you’re experiencing hallucinations and extreme confusion.
However, you’re not alone. Otter House Wellness offers a warm, supportive environment where you’ll learn the tools to achieve and sustain recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about Otter House Wellness’s programs for postpartum depression and other mental health and substance abuse challenges.
