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What is the Best Postpartum Depression Treatment?
There are a variety of effective treatments for postpartum depression. Each individual should work with their doctor to come up with a treatment plan that works best for them. The different forms of postpartum depression treatment include antidepressants, psychotherapy and hormone therapy. Additionally, if the stress of caring for a young child and dealing with your depression is placing pressure on the marriage, marriage counseling may be helpful.
Antidepressants are a very effective treatment for postpartum depression treatment. However, antidepressants are rarely used as the sole source of treatment for postpartum depression. Combined with psychotherapy, they can help many women who are suffering from severe cases of postpartum depression to regain their lives. Women may not want to take antidepressants while breastfeeding their infant. If your physician recommends antidepressants as a postpartum depression treatment, make sure that he or she realizes that you are nursing.
Psychotherapy is an important treatment method for women suffering from postpartum depression. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy. Some doctors conduct individual counseling sessions, while others prefer to conduct group therapy sessions. Either way, it provides an excellent way to ensure that the woman receives treatment and monitoring for her postpartum symptoms.
Hormone therapy is another effective postpartum therapy treatment. It is believed that many women suffer from postpartum depression because of the drastic hormone changes that occur after they give birth. After childbirth, a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone plummet. Her thyroid function may also change drastically. All of these changes in the chemical makeup of the body can lead to postpartum depression.
Many men and women struggle with changing roles after a baby is born. If the woman suffers from postpartum depression, these challenges can become even more pronounced. While marriage counseling will not be enough to draw a woman out of postpartum depression, it can be a helpful addition. Effective marriage counseling shows couples how to deal with each other and understand what the other person is going through. This shared empathy can help a couple struggling with the challenges of depression as well as a new baby.
It is important for women suffering from postpartum depression to seek treatment. Postpartum depression can interfere with a woman’s ability to care for her baby. In severe cases, the health of the new baby can be jeopardized by a mother’s depression. Medical intervention is the best way to find effective postpartum depression treatment.
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AS FEATURED ON:
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![Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of postpartum depression.]()
By: Svetlana FedoseevaBreastfeeding may reduce the risk of postpartum depression. -
![Giving birth to a baby can cause a woman to be overwhelmed for many reasons.]()
By: ivolodinaGiving birth to a baby can cause a woman to be overwhelmed for many reasons. -
![New mothers need to get plenty of sleep and eat a nutritious diet in order to effectively combat depression and fatigue.]()
By: zea_lenanetNew mothers need to get plenty of sleep and eat a nutritious diet in order to effectively combat depression and fatigue. -
![Treating for postpartum depression may include psychotherapy, which also is known as talk therapy.]()
By: WavebreakMediaMicroTreating for postpartum depression may include psychotherapy, which also is known as talk therapy. -
![Marriage counseling may be necessary if the postpartum depression is affecting both partners.]()
By: MartinanMarriage counseling may be necessary if the postpartum depression is affecting both partners. -
![Postpartum depression typically arises within a month after a woman has given birth.]()
By: Vanessa van RensburgPostpartum depression typically arises within a month after a woman has given birth. -
![Anti-depressants are often part of a depression treatment plan.]()
By: ambrozinioAnti-depressants are often part of a depression treatment plan.
Discussion Comments
@irontoenail - Men can suffer from this kind of depression as well. I'm not sure if it is called the same thing, but the fact that they will probably be woken up all night, and have such a radical change in routine and lifestyle can often lead to depression.
To some extend it's easier with men, because with treatment of their depression breastfeeding and other factors don't need to be taken into account.
But men are also more likely to hide their depression, particularly since they don't have the excuse that hormones are messing them around.
@clintflint - I've heard very sad stories about mothers suffering from this kind of depression disorder who ended up harming themselves or their children. And it seems extreme, but I've suffered from depression myself and I know how much it can warp your impression of the world.
The way our society works, often they might be left alone at home as well, because men rarely get the chance to stay at home with their new children. So isolation is another factor.
This is such a serious issue and it effects people all over the world. But it doesn't seem to be talked about very much, which I think is such a tragedy, particularly since it often has very clear physical causes and isn't a failure on the part of the mother. But women feel like it will be seen that way, so they hide the symptoms and they only get worse.
If you suspect someone is showing postpartum depression symptoms you really need to reach out to them and try to get them to talk about it and maybe seek help. I think most importantly you need to let them know that it's basically a disease and they aren't at fault.
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