Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month: What is Postpartum Depression?

Not only is Mental Health Month in May, but also Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. Did you know that approximately 1 in 10 women experience postpartum depression (PPD) after giving birth? That’s a staggering number, especially if you put it into perspective with people in your own life. 

Although more people now are talking about PPD, also known as “postnatal depression,” it can still be difficult to understand in its entirety. To learn more about PPD, we spoke with a therapist about what postpartum depression is, the treatment options available, and how to best support someone experiencing it. 

What is postpartum depression?

As the name suggests, postpartum depression (PPD) refers to a variety of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that can happen as a result of hormonal changes in women after giving birth. 

This usually occurs between four to eight weeks after giving birth and can last a while if left untreated. That said, it can be easy to confuse PPD with the “baby blues” — in fact, some people think that they are the same, but they are actually far from it. 

“Baby blues” typically last for two weeks after giving birth and don't generally require medical attention. 

“Baby blues affect approximately 80% of new moms and are related to sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, life changes,” says Melanie Dalton, a licensed clinical social worker at UpLift. “Crying and mood swings are common and typically go away on their own in the first few weeks after birth.”

On the other hand, PPD usually lasts between four and six months and can even start in the months leading up to childbirth and it typically requires medical intervention. 

What causes someone to have postpartum after giving birth? 

There’s no “one-answer-fits-all” answer to the question of what causes postpartum depression. That said, some common risk factors could increase the chances of PPD occurring. 

According to Dalton, some factors may include:

• Family history of depression or a prior depressive episode
• Lack of familial and social support
• Being younger than 20
• Having a traumatic birth experience
• Previous difficulties with pregnancy or birthing
• Childhood stressors, including trauma, abuse, and exposure to domestic violence either as a child or adult
• Difficulty breastfeeding
• Unplanned pregnancy

What is postpartum depression categorized by? 

According to the DSM-5, PPD is defined as a major depressive episode that occurs during pregnancy or within four weeks of giving birth. Symptoms can last for months. 

Dalton describes symptoms as:

• Being sad, tearful, or overwhelmed
• Anxiousness
• Feeling disconnected to your baby
• Anger
• Moodiness
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities

Dalton also adds that “other symptoms [may] include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.” 

Aside from postpartum depression, there’s also the potential for new mothers to develop postpartum psychosis (PPP). This is a rare yet still serious mental health condition that affects 1 in 1,000 women. 

Signs of postpartum psychosis include extreme confusion, loss of touch with reality, paranoia, delusions, disorganized thought processes, and hallucinations, according to an article from the National Library of Medicine. 

What is the best treatment for postpartum depression? 

It’s important that new mothers work to pursue treatment and work on symptoms. Don’t assume that PPD will “go away on its own.” 

PPD is not only debilitating in their own lives, but can have a negative effect on the child. According to an article from the National Library of Medicine, the condition can have an adverse effect on mother-infant bonding. Along with being a concern for the mother, bonding impacts a child's growth and development. Again, in extreme cases, PPD can also lead to psychosis which can be dangerous and physically harmful for both the mother and child.

Whether you’re experiencing postpartum depression or know someone else who is, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the treatment options. 

Therapy

In terms of therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy have been shown to be effective in treating postpartum depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PPD

CBT is considered to be a more short-term option and can help new mothers identify unhelpful thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that could exacerbate symptoms. 

One strategy commonly taught in CBT is called behavioral activation. In the case of PPD, one might find themselves feeling tired and lethargic. This can manifest as not wanting to partake in social activities or go outside, among other ways. With that in mind, behavioral activation calls for scheduling pleasant events and activities to get you out of the house and engaging with people, even if it’s just for a little while.

Interpersonal therapy for PPD

As for interpersonal therapy, the goal is to work on developing better communication skills and strengthening relationships. 

Parenthood can take a huge toll on someone who gave birth, but also on their partners or other familial relationships and friendships. The intention of strengthening relationships is to make sure the mother has a strong support system to help navigate this new life transition and provide social support.

Medication Management

Psychiatric services and medication management can also be helpful for some people dealing with postpartum depression. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common types of medication for the treatment of PPD include Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), and Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq.) 

You’ll want to seek out treatment from a board-certified psychiatrist to find a regimen that works for your needs. In many cases, a combination of therapy and medication is most helpful. 

Self-care

Outside of medication and therapy, new mothers are encouraged to partake in self-care activities to help themselves. 

“Some examples include sleeping while the baby is sleeping instead of cleaning the house or doing other chores, connecting to other moms who have experienced PPD, asking for help with daily life tasks, and setting boundaries as needed with family/friends,” says Dalton. 

Looking for a provider to help you better manage and understand postpartum depression? UpLift has tools to help you find a therapist or psychiatric provider that works for you—because everyone deserves access to care with someone who understands them.