Postpartum depression treatment (PPD) doesn’t just help the woman; it can help her family, too. PPD is much more than the ‘baby blues.’ Reported statistics indicate that as many as one in seven women are diagnosed with postpartum depression within a year of giving birth! Although this condition can have a huge impact on a woman and her entire family, it is treatable and recovery is possible.

Postpartum Depression Treatment: What to Expect

Diagnosis

If you feel that you might be experiencing postpartum depression symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. Many women do feel a sense of loss or sadness after giving birth, but these feelings typically go away within a couple of weeks. Anything that persists deserves medical attention. Talk to your family and let them know how you are feeling. Establishing open communication from the beginning can help you through the recovery process.

Time Frame

Don’t delay in seeking postpartum depression treatment. Untreated postpartum depression can become serious, and may result in danger to the mother or child. Support from friends and family can be very helpful through all stages of treatment, but especially at the beginning. Encourage your loved one to get treatment and be there for them as they do so. If a woman is also struggling with drug or alcohol use, it is even more important that she gets medical help as soon as possible. Treatment should be allowed to run its course, as stopping it too early can lead to relapse. PPD typically goes away within a few months after treatment.

Counseling

Postpartum depression treatment usually involves counseling from a trained mental health professional. You may meet one-on-one or in a group with other mothers who are also experiencing postpartum depression. This can help you to find comfort in shared experiences, and may remind you that you are not alone. Family therapy may also be available. Family sessions can be very helpful in educating your loved ones about what you are going through and how they can help. Loved ones may also benefit by talking about how your depression is affecting them.

Medication

Antidepressants and hormone therapy are commonly used in postpartum depression treatment. These should be prescribed by a doctor and taken as recommended for optimal results. You should be open and honest with your doctor so he or she can come up with the safest course of treatment for you. For example, women who are breastfeeding may not be candidates for certain medications, as some medications can enter the breast milk and be passed to the baby.

If you or a woman you love is having problems with negative feelings or depression after having a baby, postpartum depression treatment may be the answer.  Remember that recovery from substance abuse and mental health treatment means learning how to cope with intensely emotional situations, and identifying when you need help and support.  Treatment for addiction relapse, counseling, and aftercare can help you do this, so please call us today.  Destination Hope: The Women’s Program is a full service addiction and women’s health treatment facility in Florida for women who suffer from substance abuse and behavioral health issues.