Will Postpartum Depression Go Away on Its Own?

You just had a baby and should feel elated. Instead, you feel overwhelming sadness and can’t stop crying. Postpartum depression is a real and serious mood disorder that won’t resolve on its own.

At Reviv Functional Medicine & TMS Wellness Center in Fullerton, California, our compassionate and experienced psychiatrist, Dr. Hina Sidhu, takes a holistic approach to mental wellness. She knows how a low mood makes it challenging for you to care for yourself and your baby. Fortunately, there’s hope.

In this month’s blog, we want to discuss postpartum depression and why it’s essential to get help.

About postpartum depression

Postpartum depression, also called perinatal depression, is a mood disorder that affects women during pregnancy or after giving birth. This type of depression is common, affecting one in every eight women.

Researchers are still trying to understand what causes postpartum depression but theorize it may have something to do with the hormonal changes that come with pregnancy. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels increase dramatically. As soon as you give birth, these hormones drop back to normal. The sudden change in hormone levels may affect your mood, leading to depression.

Anyone can develop postpartum depression, but you’re at greater risk if you have a history of depression or anxiety. 

Signs and symptoms of postpartum depression

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and emotional after childbirth. Having a new baby is a significant life change that can cause a great deal of stress. Your baby blues should lift within a week or two after delivery of the baby.

If you continue to feel anxious, sad, or depressed two weeks after the birth, you may have postpartum depression. Signs and symptoms to look out for include the following:

• Crying all the time
• Feeling like you can’t take care of your baby
• Thoughts that you’re a bad mother
• Change in appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling like you can’t bond with your baby
• Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby

You may have difficulty telling others how you feel out of shame and embarrassment. But your feelings are real and won’t improve if you ignore them.

Without proper care, postpartum depression may lead to chronic depression that affects you and your baby’s future health and well-being. 

Lifting the fog 

Your OB/GYN closely monitors your recovery following the birth of your baby. If you’re showing signs of depression, they refer you to a psychiatrist for help. 

Treatment for postpartum depression usually includes individual therapy, support groups, and self-care. You may also benefit from antidepressant medication. The FDA has approved medication for the treatment of postpartum depression, including:

• Brexanolone: An intravenous (IV) medication given over two days
• Zuranolone: An oral medication 

Some medications used to treat postpartum depression are contraindicated if you’re breastfeeding. That's why therapy, outside support, and self-care are emphasized in treatment.

With the right plan, you can feel better sooner. Schedule a consultation with our compassionate psychiatrist by calling our office today or clicking the book online button. We also have telemedicine appointments.