Therapy for Postpartum Depression
Most new parents experience a complex mix of emotions following the birth of their baby. These emotions can range from excitement and joy to less pleasant emotions such as anxiety, fear, and depression. This period of jumbled and sometimes confusing emotions is to be expected-up until a certain point. However, if you find that your emotions are predominantly painful and negative for longer than a two-week period, or if you’ve become concerned for the well-being of yourself and your child, it is possible that the more typical “baby blues” have turned into postpartum depression.
If this sounds like you, know that developing postpartum depression is not a character flaw or a weakness. Many parents of all genders experience postpartum depression for a variety of physiological and emotional reasons. Estimates suggest that 1 in 7 women and 1 in 10 men experience postpartum depression, and it is likely that this is an underestimation due to some of the shame and stigma that exists around getting help. The important thing to know is that this is a difficult but common experience after a new baby enters your life and it is not an experience you will have to endure forever.
It can be extremely difficult to know how to help yourself feel better at a time when you likely feel particularly vulnerable and responsible for caring for a newborn. If you find yourself unsure of how to get back on track, therapy may be helpful for you. A therapist can help you to better understand your unique experience of parenthood, provide tools and skills to cope with the difficult postpartum period, and ultimately help you feel more in control of how to move forward with your child. Here at Therapists of New York, we have clinicians that are specifically trained to support individuals through the sensitive postpartum period.
Click here for a consultation if you are interested in speaking to a therapist about your postpartum experiences.
You can also read more about topics around pregnancy, perinatal period and motherhood below:
Space to Grieve: Supporting loved ones through pregnancy loss
More Than Just the Baby Blues: Postpartum Depression
The Utility of Mindfulness During Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery
The Power of Self-Compassion in Parenting
Normal Nervousness or Postpartum Anxiety? Understanding the Differences