Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

[David Baxter PhD]

What You Need to Know About Postpartum Depression
by katstone
February 22, 2010

Will I have a boy or a girl? Do we have enough onesies? Is that how the crib is supposed to be set up? Do I really need a Diaper Genie?​

There's even more stuff to think about once you've had the baby.

How am I going to get this child to sleep through the night? Why can't I get her to burp? Is he latching on correctly? What on earth is that rash?!​

In one fell swoop, you have to figure out how to fold this new and precious person's life into the already busy and complicated lives of adults. How to handle this tiny little thing without breaking it. How to show it all the love that you can muster, plus a little more.

It's no surprise, then, that the last thing we pregnant and brand-new mothers want to spend time thinking about is postpartum depression.

Oh. That. Well, okay, if I'm feeling bad I'll be sure to call someone.

It's not that simple. For the future health of both you and your child, you need to know more about post partum depression.

First, you need to know that postpartum depression and all of the other mental illnesses related to childbirth -- postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, postpartum PTSD, and postpartum psychosis -- are, as a group, fairly common among new mothers. You can't ignore the possibility that it might happen to you, because it happens to so many. On any given day, 11,000 babies are born in the United States alone. At minimum, 1,375 of the moms who deliver on that one day will develop a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. And another 1,365 the next day. And the next. This number doesn't even take into account those mothers who develop a postpartum disorder after a perinatal loss like a miscarriage or stillbirth, or the moms who've just adopted children, who are also susceptible. It also doesn't count the women who experience depression or anxiety while pregnant.

Second, you need to know that there are a wide variety of symptoms that you may experience. Each woman's illness may manifest itself in a different way. Check them over and know that if you have some of these symptoms, and if they interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis, you need to reach out for help. We're not talking about a bad day here and there. We're not talking about the baby blues, a normal hormonal adjustment period that happens in the first two weeks postpartum and resolves on its own. We're talking about symptoms that remain consistent or are getting worse, and prevent you from caring for yourself and your baby in the way you would like. Oh, and it doesn't matter if you had your baby four weeks ago, or seven months ago. If you learn about these symptoms so that you can recognize them should they occur, you'll know if it becomes time to ask for help.

Third, you should know that getting postpartum depression or anxiety is not the end of the world. It is a momentary, albeit painful, setback in your life. It may feel like the world is ending, and it may feel like your life as you knew it is lost. That's just the illness talking. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are temporary and treatable with professional help. You will get better and your joy will be restored. (I know from experience.)

There are LOTS of people who understand exactly what you're going through and whose mission is to help you get better as quickly as possible. Next up, I'll share some great links that you can tap into immediately should you need help ...

Katherine Stone writes Postpartum Progress Postpartum Progress

 

[David Baxter PhD]

How Does A Mom With Postpartum Depression Get Help?

How Does A Mom With Postpartum Depression Get Help When She Can't Even Brush Her Teeth?
by katstone
February 23, 2010

In previous posts on BlogHer, I've shared a list of symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety, told you the key things you need to know about these and related illnesses, and connected you to a wide variety of resources to help you get better.


I want to acknowledge, though, that it's really easy for me to sit here with my laptop and tell you to talk about what's going on openly with others, make that call, go to that appointment and advocate for yourself. It probably sounds like I'm telling you to "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." (Shudder.)

I want you to know that I realize it isn't in any way easy for you to actually do these things. I know you are in a dark and scary place. You may be so far down that you can't do anything but cry, or scream, or sleep, or hide, or shut down entirely.

I remember the wide gap between the dangerous riot going on inside my head and the stoic, even emotionless face others probably saw on the outside. For several weeks, even though it was likely clear to my loved ones that something about me didn't seem right, I kept the extent of my true feelings inside. I was afraid, and besides, I didn't even know how to form the words to describe what was happening to me.

I think it is quite understandable that I didn't speak at first. It is the very antithesis of every expectation of motherhood, no matter where you live around the world, that a new mother would be sick, miserable and filled with regret, or rage, or defeat.

It is also the very antithesis of our strong survival instinct to raise one's hand and say "Hey! Look at me! I've got a serious problem. The kind of problem (Hello?! Mental!) that a lot of people don't understand, and some even look down on." How can you protect yourself if you tell the truth? You have your relationship, your friends, your job, your neighbors, your health insurance and your reputation to worry about. And then there's the ultimate fear of all fears: What if they take away your child?

On top of these feelings, you really are sick. You may be incapable of even brushing your teeth, much less making a phone call. It's a cruel trick that this illness incapacitates you to prevent you from fighting it. It's like the perfect germ warfare.

Nevertheless, something must be done. You can't stay this way. Your life is too important. Your new child's life is too important. If you can do only one thing, call Postpartum Support International (PSI) at 1-800-944-4PPD. Tell them this is the only phone call you can make and that you need as much help as you can get but you can't do much more on your own. Alternatively, tell the closest person to you to make that call to PSI. Tell that person you need him or her to find out where you can go, make your appointments, check into what your insurance covers, help you with childcare. If you need to, tell that person not to ask you any questions and to simply offer you love and support until you are ready to talk.

I understand the fears you have. I've had them too. But none of them really materialized. And even if a few had, I think I would still have made the same decision to reach out for help. I'll take being healthy over anything else.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

How-To Manual for Getting The Best Help for Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

How-To Manual for Getting The Best Help for Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
by katstone
March 05, 2010

One of the worst things about experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety is the fear. Fear of what's happening to you. Fear that no one else will understand. Fear that you'll never get better.

I'd like to help allay those fears, even just a little bit. I can tell you right now that there are A LOT of people who understand, and with help you'll DEFINITELY get better.

The problem is, of course, you don't know who the heck these people are or how to find them. You don't even know what kind of help you need or where to look for it. Not a problem! Here's a ready-made how-to manual to make it as easy as possible for you to start down the road to recovery.

If you think you may have postpartum depression or a related illness, a great place to start is the website of Postpartum Support International (PSI). PSI is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to supporting moms-to-be and new mothers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. They have an amazing corps of volunteer coordinators in almost every state in the US and scores of countries around the world who will connect you to local services. One really cool program PSI offers is called Chat With the Experts. Every single week you can join in on a toll-free conference call and speak with an expert about any questions or concerns you may have. You can even remain anonymous if you'd like.

Many states have statewide organizations whose mission is to provide very localized support and services for people who reside within their state. They offer everything from support groups and continuing education for physicians, to advocacy for supportive state legislation and lists of psychiatrists and counselors within the state who have a lot of experience treating these illnesses. These include Kansas, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Virginia and a whole load more. You can find a full list of local postpartum depression support non-profits here.

Some of you will be surprised to find that there is a specialized treatment center in your state or country. The physicians at these centers work primarily with women who have perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, as well as other mental health issues women may experience. All are experts, which means you'll be in very good hands. These include places like the Massachusetts General Hospital's Center for Women's Mental Health in Boston, Emory's Women's Mental Health Program in Atlanta, the Hennepin Women's Mental Health Program in Minneapolis, the University of North Carolina Center for Women's Mood Disorders in Chapel Hill, Johns Hopkins' Womens Mood Disorders Clinic in Baltimore, and many others. There are several options in Chicago and New York City. I try to keep track of them here, so check to see if there is one near you. Some women even choose to travel out of state to these clinics if their situation is severe. By the way, since many of these centers also conduct research, you may be eligible to receive care via a clinical trial if your insurance doesn't allow you to go to that particular hospital.

I know I'm extremely biased, but I'm proud that Postpartum Progress has become the leading consumer voice on postpartum depression and anxiety. We're all about sharing what it's like to go through these illnesses, what you can do to get better, and everything else you'd need to know in between, all written in "plain mama English". You can go there to get the basics, as well as more in-depth information on maternal mental health and how it relates to things like breastfeeding, infertility, miscarriage, past sexual trauma, adoption and more. As a survivor of postpartum OCD myself, I know how important it is to have real people with whom you can speak. Real moms who get it. When you're in the deepest, darkest place, take a look at our Surviving & Thriving Mothers Photo Album and see the faces of women who are just like you who have made it through to the other side.

Also, thanks to the blogosphere, there are lots of amazing and brave current sufferers and survivors around the internet with whom you can commune. You can read the stories of Catherine Connors at Her Bad Mother or Heather Armstrong at Dooce. You can hang out virtually with Lauren at Sharing the Journey, Amber at Beyond Postpartum, Sera at Laughing Through the Chaos, Suzanne at Pretty Swell, Carrie at Mood-Disordered Mama, Erin at Go Erin Go, Pamela at 2 Much Testosterone, Tamra at Surprisingly Sane, Sophie at Sophie in the Moonlight, Kimberly at All Work & No Play Make Mommy Go Something Something, Ivy at Ivy's PPD Blog, the mama at Musings, Musings, Musings, and Laura at Never Be The Same. If you comment on their blogs, they'll comment back. If you need a virtual hug, they'll be there to give it. If you want to read a story about how someone else is getting through it, they're your girls. And if you'd rather just lurk, that's ok too.

I can't even begin to fit every single person or organization that wants to help you in this little post. (There's room for comments though. Add your suggestions, tips, organizations and bloggers below!) But I hope this gives you hope. You will be a happy and healthy mama soon, even though you can't see that now.