Postpartum depression is an unwelcome arrival at a time when a woman most needs to feel in control of herself. This mental health disorder causes a lot of emotional chaos and can make new mothers feel bad about themselves. The reality is that developing postpartum depression can happen to anyone. When it does, it’s important to seek help from qualified mental health specialists who know how to help women heal. When a woman has postpartum depression and a husband who doesn’t understand her situation, it only complicates the situation. New View Wellness in Atlanta offers family counseling that educates men on what’s happening with their wives and how to help them overcome their illness.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a mental health disorder classified as a major depressive disorder. A person cannot control whether or not they develop it, and it requires professional treatment to overcome it. Postpartum depression begins within just a few weeks of giving birth to a baby and can happen regardless of a woman’s age, ethnicity, or other factors. Often, a mother initially thinks she just has “the baby blues”, but postpartum depression is much more serious. A woman cannot control her moods and often doesn’t recognize that she has a legitimate psychological disorder.
Postpartum depression interrupts a woman’s ability to be excited about her new baby and feel comfortable taking care of them. She falls victim to horrible bouts of depression and doesn’t feel like her old self. She has trouble bonding with her child and often fears there is something wrong with her that relates to simply being a “bad mother”. If the symptoms continue for two weeks or longer, the woman needs to speak to her doctor and get the help she deserves. Furthermore, if she experiences a combination of postpartum depression and a husband, it can complicate her daily life and ability to heal. Finding support to help educate her husband becomes important.
How Do I Know If I Have Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression can be difficult to identify, but there are many symptoms that will help a woman know if she has developed it. These include:
- Uncontrollable feelings of sadness and depression
- Loss of hope
- Crying
- Feeling guilty about not being happier
- Being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of having a new baby
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Assuming people judge the woman for how she handles the new baby
- Anger at the baby, the partner, or herself
- Anxiety
- Moodiness
- Changes in appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Wanting to leave home and be alone
- Thoughts of harming the baby or herself
Talking About Postpartum Depression With Your Husband
If you have not yet been diagnosed with postpartum depression but know something is wrong, open up about what you’re feeling with your husband. Tell him you know this is not just a normal hormonal fluctuation that will resolve itself in a short time. Tell him what your symptoms are and how they match the ones people with postpartum depression have. If you have been diagnosed, ask your husband to attend an appointment with your doctor or a therapist. If an expert can speak to him about what’s going on, it will make it easier for him to appreciate your situation and respond in a loving, helpful way.
Having postpartum depression and a husband who has been brought into the loop can make a tremendous difference. He can follow instructions given by you, a doctor, or a therapist and provide you with the backup you need. Check in with your husband about how you are coping regularly. Let him know when you feel overwhelmed and need a break. If he or someone else can watch the baby for a few hours while you get some private time or attend therapy, it helps you move toward resolving the illness. Attending outpatient treatment for postpartum can create a wonderful opportunity to learn to overcome your illness with the support of trained therapists.
How is Postpartum Depression Treated?
Someone with severe postpartum depression can benefit from going to a residential facility to receive round-the-clock care. For many women, outpatient care provides the level of care they need. With outpatient care, women still live at home but travel to a facility several days a week for therapy sessions that help them overcome their illness. Outpatient care can be done by attending one of two types of treatment:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Sessions take place for several hours per day five or more days per week. The care is similar to that of residential treatment in terms of the types of therapy used.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Sessions take place a few hours per day three to five days per week. Several types of therapy are also offered at this level of care.
Virtual IOP: The same as the regular IOP plan, but this can be done from a person’s home via an internet connection.
In all levels of treatment for postpartum depression, the person will attend different types of therapy that target their symptoms. Prescription medication choices will also be offered for those who want to use those to help alleviate their symptoms. The overall goal of treatment is to help the mother regain control of her moods and become capable of focusing on her new family member again.
Get Effective Help for Postpartum Depression in Atlanta
Do you have a new baby and suffer from postpartum depression? This mental illness is more common than many people think, and quality treatment is available. Often when a woman has postpartum depression, her husband doesn’t understand what’s happening. He may blame his wife or believe that she can just snap out of it. New View Wellness in Atlanta provides structured outpatient treatment that helps moms regain control of their moods. We include family therapy so we can educate their partners about what postpartum depression is about and how they can work with their wives to ease their symptoms.
If it’s time to get help for postpartum depression so you can get back to focusing on being a mom, contact us. Our friendly admission staff can help you get started on our program quickly.