{"id":1324,"date":"2022-03-27T14:51:45","date_gmt":"2022-03-27T14:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/?p=1324"},"modified":"2022-05-16T14:55:03","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T14:55:03","slug":"5-tips-on-how-to-deal-with-postpartum-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/5-tips-on-how-to-deal-with-postpartum-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips On How To Deal With Postpartum Depression"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Giving birth to your child can bring about a wide array of emotions, including postpartum mood disorders. If you feel anxious and fearful and you&#8217;re worried this may affect your parenting, this article is perfect for you. You&#8217;ll find out how to deal with postpartum depression and how to practice postpartum depression self-care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Believe it or not, one in seven women deal with postpartum depression. Although postpartum mood disorders can negatively affect the health of the mother and the baby, most women don&#8217;t speak up about symptoms and remain untreated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Break the stigma of <\/span><a href=\"\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/obstetrics-maternity-care\/#postpartum-depression\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">postpartum depression help<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today. If you are ready to take your life back and feel your best, consult professionals such as <\/span><a href=\"\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/obstetrics-maternity-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obstetrics and Maternity Care in Palm Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, how to deal with postpartum depression? Below, you&#8217;ll find the top five most helpful tips on coping with postpartum mood disorders and beating depression. Read on.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Postpartum Depression?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1326 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression.jpg\" alt=\"Young Woman With Baby Experiencing Postpartum Depression and Contemplating at Home.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/What-is-Postpartum-Depression.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before finding the answer to &#8220;how to deal with postpartum depression,&#8221; it&#8217;s important to learn the basics of what postpartum mood disorders are. As mentioned, postpartum mood disorders are fairly common among mothers, yet one in five women remain untreated. Although the reason for keeping quiet about postpartum depression symptoms remains a mystery, it usually happens due to the stigma tied to feeling these emotions. Namely, a mother is &#8220;expected&#8221; to feel joyous and blissful due to this new chapter in her life. However, feeling anxious, stressed, severely moody, sad, and depressed is common and normal. Remember, your body is going through significant changes, and you have a newborn to take care of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to understand postpartum mood disorders, it&#8217;s also essential to differentiate between the &#8220;baby blues&#8221; and postpartum depression. Typically, the baby blues tend to go away with time. Some common symptoms of baby blues include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crying<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling overwhelmed and anxious<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having trouble sleeping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appetite issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced concentration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the flip side, the symptoms of postpartum depression tend to be more severe and long-lasting. You may need professional help and guidance for beating depression. Here are some signs to look out for before seeking out postpartum depression help:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive crying spells<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe mood swings or depressed mood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty bonding with the child<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawing from social situations (including with friends and family)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating too little or too much<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia and other sleeping issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of energy or overwhelming fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced pleasure and interest in activities you previously enjoyed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intense anger and irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intense fear of being a &#8220;bad mother&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling restless<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe panic attacks and anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wanting to harm yourself and your child<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recurrent thoughts of suicide<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadly, women who remain untreated for postpartum mood disorders may have recurring symptoms for multiple months. Therefore, always consult a healthcare professional if you notice any of the symptoms above.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, new fathers can also experience postpartum depression. These symptoms typically occur in men who become young fathers, have a previous history of depression, and struggle financially. Again, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider for further guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Beating Depression: Top Five Tips<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how to deal with postpartum depression? What are the postpartum depression self-care steps I need to take? Here are some excellent ways to treat postpartum mood disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Have Skin-to-Skin Contact with Your Baby<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the key tips for beating depression is getting to the root cause. In many cases, new mothers may find it challenging to bond with the baby\u2014one of the best ways to bond it is to have skin-to-skin contact. Regardless of whether you formula-feed the child or breastfeed, you can try feeling their skin next to yours. Consider wrapping a blanket around the baby to keep them cozy or cradle them skin-to-skin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides boosting the bond between mother and child, skin-to-skin contact can help sleep issues, alertness, weight gain, cold stress, and decreased crying.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, if these tips aren&#8217;t working for you, it&#8217;s time to reach out for professional postpartum depression help.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Try Giving Your Baby a Massage<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Postpartum depression self-care doesn&#8217;t always have to involve the mother&#8217;s needs. You can support the bonding process by giving your baby a &#8220;baby massage.&#8221; Massages provide skin-to-skin contact and promote closeness. However, make sure you learn how to properly massage your child by finding videos online or signing up for classes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Consider Postpartum Depression Self-Care<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Postpartum depression self-care is one of the best ways of beating depression. And the truth is, self-care isn&#8217;t selfish. By taking care of your health and wellness, you are also taking care of your baby. How? You can perform better and be more present for your child by feeling your best.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider the following forms of self-care:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have regular naps<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eat omega-3 (such as oily fish and supplements)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get out in the sun (fresh air and sunshine are healing)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get plenty of exercise (or, if you prefer, light yoga and walks)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give yourself pamper treatments (do your hair, your makeup, go to a spa, take yourself to a fancy restaurant, take a bubble bath, listen to music, light scented candles, etc.).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Get Professional Postpartum Depression Help<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes these tips don&#8217;t seem to work. If you have tried all of the self-help tips and made proper lifestyle changes, but nothing is working for you, it might be high time to consult a doctor. The professional can suggest you try psychotherapy, medication, or both.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychotherapy or talk therapy (or mental health counseling) is a way to discuss your feelings and concerns in a safe space. You&#8217;ll learn how to set manageable goals and respond to challenging situations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other times, you may require antidepressants (especially in severe cases or when the symptoms get worse). Your doctor will consider if you are breastfeeding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to researchers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Citalopram (can be found under the name Celexa) might positively affect symptoms of postpartum depression. Moreover, some researchers believe that face-to-face therapy sessions or online cognitive behavior therapy effectively treat symptoms. If you find that your symptoms of anxiety and stress are high during face-to-face therapy sessions, consider the online alternative.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Build a Support Network<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1325 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network.jpg\" alt=\"Women and Children Having a Drink\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/168\/2022\/05\/Build-a-Support-Network.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are social creatures, and we thrive off human interaction. So by building a network of supportive people, you&#8217;ll have more positive social interactions and support to reduce stress and anxiety in your life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many times, new mothers feel isolated and lonely. According to research, loneliness can lead to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3865701\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">social isolation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and feelings of &#8220;being disconnected&#8221; from other individuals. You may also think that you &#8220;don&#8217;t belong&#8221; and no one understands you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, loneliness is linked with sleep issues, heart disease, high blood pressure, and decreased immunity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By receiving emotional support from your network, you&#8217;ll learn how to cope with problems and gain more self-esteem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, you don&#8217;t need a large group of people to feel connected. Some mothers prefer friendship and mutual trust from a handful of individuals such as co-workers, other parents, or even neighbors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One great way to build your network is to attend mommy and me classes and parenting groups. You can meet like-minded parents who are likely in the same situation as you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Book an Appointment Today<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our team of professionals will help you identify symptoms of postpartum depression and get you on the path to recovery. If you are ready to become the best version of yourself for your family, give us a call now.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Giving birth to your child can bring about a wide array of emotions, including postpartum mood disorders. If you feel anxious and fearful and you&#8217;re worried this may affect your parenting, this article is perfect for you. You&#8217;ll find out how to deal with postpartum depression and how to practice postpartum depression self-care.\u00a0 Believe it<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":1327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[65,66,67,68,69],"class_list":["post-1324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","tag-beating-depression","tag-how-to-deal-with-postpartum-depression","tag-postpartum-depression-help","tag-postpartum-depression-self-care","tag-postpartum-mood-disorders"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}