Online Therapy for Colorado & Illinois
Therapy for Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety
The Baby Blues
You just had a baby, and so much has changed so quickly. Many women who have just given birth experience an array of intense emotions. Up to 80% of women experience what’s known as the Baby Blues. The baby blues usually start soon after delivery and can last for a few weeks. People experiencing the baby blues can experience intense happiness, irritability, sadness, anxiety, and emotions that feel all over the place and hard to control. Interestingly, the predominant mood with the baby blues is happiness. A postpartum therapist can help you identify if you are experiencing the baby blues and can help to prevent postpartum depression.
Is it the baby blues or postpartum depression? A postpartum therapist can help.
One big difference between postpartum depression and the baby blues is how long the experience lasts. The baby blues is transient - lasting only a few weeks postpartum, while postpartum depression will continue on past the first few weeks postpartum. The severity of symptoms can also be an indicator.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include:¹
Low or depressed mood, which may make it difficult to care for yourself or your baby
Difficulty enjoying things
Trouble bonding with your baby
Insomnia (trouble with falling or staying asleep, even when your baby is sleeping)
Changes in appetite
Guilt ( which may be connected with thoughts like “I’m not a good mom. I’m not doing anything right.”)
Postpartum anxiety also impacts many new parents
Symptoms of postpartum anxiety:
Feeling anxious or nervous
Worry that’s hard to manage or turn off (e.g., What if something is wrong with my baby?; What if I drop my baby?)
Feelings of panic (e.g., heart racing, difficulty breathing, feeling sweaty)
Difficulty sleeping (even when the baby is sleeping)
Difficulty relaxing
A sense of dread that something bad may happen
Racing thoughts that may make it difficult to focus
Many people with postpartum anxiety also have postpartum depression.
How do I know if I need therapy for postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety?
Most people experience some days where they have anxiety or feel depressed after giving birth. If the symptoms of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are persistent, and it feels like you can’t turn them off, therapy for postpartum depression and anxiety can help.
Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are treatable. Get started with therapy today.
My approach to therapy for postpartum depression and anxiety for people in Denver, Colorado and Chicago, Illinois
My approach to therapy during the postpartum period includes a lot of education - helping you to understand signs and symptoms of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression since these can sometimes show up differently than anxiety and depression do during other periods of our lives.
We also may spend time processing the role shift you’ve just gone through, and how this may be impacting you. Your identities may now include mom, parent, co-parent, which are really big adjustments!
Therapy can help you adapt to these changes, and move forward in your life and relationships in the way that you value.
Therapy for postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety can also help you to:
Feel supported and connected in your relationships again
Slow down and savor important moments, which can help you enjoy and really feel things that are important to you - like bonding with your baby.
Keep anxiety and depression symptoms from going haywire and taking over
Learn how to let go of and get distance from bothersome thoughts
Improve your sleep
Therapy for postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety will always be tailored to you and your specific needs. Whether you're experiencing mild symptoms or more significant challenges, postpartum therapy is designed to support your mental health during this huge life shift.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Mindful Health Psychology provides mindful, compassionate online postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety therapy for people in Denver, Colorado & Chicago, Illinois.
Other services offered at Mindful Health Psychology:
Mindful Health Psychology is a practice offering online therapy for Denver, CO, Chicago, IL and beyond in the states of Colorado and Illinois. We specialize in therapy for anxiety, depression, distress during pregnancy, coping with miscarriage and pregnancy loss, PMDD, coping with fertility-related stressors, birth trauma, coping with a chronic medical condition, insomnia, nightmares, circadian rhythm disorders, and hypersomnia disorders.
We provide online therapy to make treatment more accessible, which means you can be located in Denver, Chicago, or another city in Colorado or Illinois to receive services.
References
Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The British journal of psychiatry. 1987;150(6):782-6.