Childbirth is an incredible, life-changing experience. It can also bring about some challenges, including changes in hormones and the possibility of experiencing a condition known as postpartum depression (PPD). Not every woman will experience postpartum depression after giving birth. However, it is important to understand what it is and be able to recognize the signs in case it does occur.
There are a lot of misconceptions about what exactly postpartum depression is and why it occurs. Unfortunately, there is also, at times, a negative stigma surrounding it. This stigma is very dangerous because it can make women who are struggling even more hesitant to seek out the help they really need. The truth is that PPD is nothing to be ashamed of and that a woman who is struggling with it did nothing to cause themselves to feel this way.
Fortunately, women who are struggling with this disorder do not have to continue carrying on feeling this way. There are a variety of different treatment options available that can help provide relief. As knowledge of this disorder progresses further, so do the types of therapies and treatments available. In addition to seeking help through traditional treatment methods such as talk therapy, a woman may also benefit from a newer approach, like somatic therapy.
Somatic therapy is a treatment option that we offer at our facility at Wisconsin Wellness. This type of therapy can help provide relief for someone struggling with PPD by helping them to better understand the connection between their body and mind. Breathwork, movement, and mindfulness are all aspects that are focused on through this type of treatment. Somatic therapy has been proven to help many women find lasting relief from their symptoms and experience better overall mental health.
Understanding Postpartum Depression
Before someone can begin the healing process of PPD, it is important to first understand what this disorder is. This disorder is often confused with a different condition known as the Baby Blues. Those experiencing the Baby Blues will typically experience feelings of fear, anxiety, exhaustion, and even sadness during the first few days to two weeks following giving birth. These are very normal symptoms associated with not only the major life change that has taken place but also the changes in hormones the woman is experiencing.
Typically, the Baby Blues will pass as the mother begins to adjust and her hormones become more stable. However, with PPD, this is not the case. The symptoms may persist for as long as several months after giving birth. This condition can be quite debilitating and can make it difficult for the mother to care for both her baby and herself. PPD is a relatively common type of disorder, and it affects about one in seven new mothers.
Medical professionals do not know all the reasons that lead to one mother experiencing severe PPD while another mother may not experience any symptoms at all. However, it is believed to be most commonly tied to sudden drops in hormones like estrogen and progesterone following delivery. These same hormones increase very dramatically throughout the pregnancy, so a sudden drop can lead to drastic emotional changes.
Identifying the Signs of Postpartum Depression
It is important to note that PPD affects people in different ways. While some people may experience it very severely, other people may experience less extreme symptoms. Nevertheless, there are still some common signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for. Some examples include:
- Persisting feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or hopeless
- Lacking motivation
- Loss of interest in the things you once enjoyed
- Struggling to find the motivation to care for your own basic needs like showering or eating a meal
- A severe sense of fear or worry
- Trouble focusing
- Excessive crying without really knowing why
- Wanting to isolate yourself from your friends and family
- Lacking interest in the new baby
- Thoughts of regret surrounding your decision to have a baby
- Experiencing thoughts of harming your baby
- Thoughts of harming yourself or experiencing suicidal ideation
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may feel ashamed or be experiencing a sense of guilt. You may be questioning your ability to be a mother and feel a debilitating sense of isolation or loneliness. If this is something you’re going through, rest assured that you are not alone. You are not the first person to experience this, and there is help available.
Risk Factors That May Increase the Chance of Developing Postpartum Depression
No new mother chooses to experience PPD. If you do experience this condition, it is important to remember that it isn’t your fault, and it is not as if you did anything wrong that may have caused it. Medical professionals are still learning why some mothers experience this disorder. However, there are some potential risk factors that could possibly play a role in one’s likelihood of experiencing postpartum depression.
Some examples include:
- Genetics (for example, having a mother or grandmother who experienced PPD)
- A history of mental illness, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, occasional depression, or major depressive disorder
- Experiencing PPD in the past with an earlier pregnancy
- Lacking strong support from a spouse or partner
- Having a difficult pregnancy, labor, or delivery
- Experiencing stressful life circumstances leading up to the birth, such as financial issues, unemployment, family health problems, or relationship trouble
- Having a baby with health complications or special needs
- Experiencing problems breastfeeding
- Lacking a good support system of family and friends after giving birth
- Giving birth to more than one baby (such as in the case of twins or multiples)
- Environmental stressors
Any of these things can make an already challenging time all the more difficult. Unexpected challenges coupled with the exhaustion and hormone changes that are already associated with the postpartum experience can quickly become overwhelming.
Understanding Postpartum Psychosis
While it is considered a relatively rare condition, some new mothers experiencing postpartum depression may also experience something known as postpartum psychosis. This is an extremely serious and potentially dangerous psychiatric condition. Some people struggling with postpartum psychosis may experience hallucinations and delusions. They may begin acting strangely and saying or doing things that don’t seem to fit with their typical behavior.
While postpartum psychosis can affect each individual differently, there are some other common signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for. They include:
- Disorientation or seeming lost and confused
- Experiencing obsessive thoughts and concerns about the new baby
- Exhibiting high levels of energy and having trouble calming down
- Heightened sense of paranoia
- Going for long periods of time without sleeping
- Having thoughts or showing signs of wanting to hurt themselves or their baby
Someone who is experiencing postpartum psychosis could unintentionally be a danger to themselves or others. Thus, if you think that you or someone you know is experiencing this condition, it is important to seek medical attention right away. There are medications and other treatments that can be administered at a hospital safely.
Overcoming the Fear of Seeking Help
Many new mothers avoid seeking help with postpartum depression because they are afraid of how others will view them. They may worry that if a medical professional knew the kinds of thoughts they’re battling with, they may think they’re an unfit mother. In reality, this could not be further from the truth. There are many excellent mothers who have experienced symptoms of PPD and sought treatment.
No medical professional will judge a mother for doing what is best for herself and her baby. If you are struggling, there are also a variety of both traditional and new holistic treatment methods that can help you find relief. Giving somatic therapy techniques a try is a great option.
Understanding What Somatic Therapy Is
Somatic therapy is a holistic treatment option that is intended to connect the mind and the body. It is based on the idea that our body stores both experiences and memories, some of which we may hold onto subconsciously. These could include everything from certain emotions to physical experiences, trauma, and stress. Furthermore, these things that we have stored deep down can manifest themselves later through things like physical sensations or pain.
Somatic therapy allows an individual to better understand why they’re experiencing these things by increasing their body awareness. This type of therapy can also help the person to begin to heal from things like past trauma by focusing on techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and movement. It can help to relieve physical pain and tension as well as deep emotional wounds.
The goal is to not only promote full-body healing but to help the individual achieve better overall health and well-being. It is generally utilized alongside other more traditional forms of therapy as well, such as talk therapy.
Understanding How Somatic Therapy Can Help Relieve Postpartum Depression
Somatic therapy can be used to treat someone who is struggling with PPD in many different ways. In many cases, it is used to determine the body’s response as a new mother recalls past trauma. For many women, this could be the trauma or pain that they associate with their recent labor and delivery. The treatment provider assisting with this therapy can then help the individual change how they respond to those painful memories.
Somatic therapy can also help someone struggling with PPD to regulate their emotions more effectively by practicing relaxation techniques. This could be done by doing some calming breathwork when they begin to experience fear, self-doubt, or anxiety creeping in.
It can also involve practicing mindfulness on a regular basis. Someone struggling with postpartum depression may be experiencing a lot of negative thoughts about themselves or life in general. Through mindfulness, they can become more aware of these thought processes and learn to stop them before they get out of control. For example, if they are experiencing thoughts of self-doubt, they can make a conscious effort to remind themselves of their self-worth.
Somatic therapy doesn’t just relieve mental burdens but physical pain and tension as well. The process of pregnancy, labor, and delivery is all very demanding and can carry a lot of physical discomfort. Practicing somatic therapy techniques can help the new mother learn how to release this tension and feel a greater sense of relaxation and comfort.
Another important aspect of somatic therapy is what is known as resourcing. This is something that the individual is encouraged to do when they are feeling themselves experiencing negative emotions like fear, hopelessness, or anxiety. It involves making a conscious effort to focus on something that brings them a sense of peace, joy, or comfort. This could be a specific person, memory, or experience.
Additional Somatic Therapy Benefits
Are you still looking for reasons to consider to look into somatic therapy in Wisconsin? If so, it is important to note that somatic therapy is not only for those who are struggling with PPD. This type of therapy can help with a wide range of other physical and mental health conditions as well. Some examples include:
- Any form of stored trauma
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Digestive disorders
- Addictions
- Eating disorders
- Chronic pain
- Grief
- Major depressive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Additional Ways to Find Relief from Postpartum Depression
In addition to somatic therapy, there are a variety of other treatment methods that may help provide relief from postpartum depression. Many women with this disorder find that prescription anti-depressants help keep their symptoms at bay. Other new mothers may choose to speak with a therapist on a regular basis, especially during the early days of postpartum. This can help to ensure that they are staying in tune with themselves and their emotional needs during this time.
Other more holistic therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can also be very beneficial. This is yet another resource that can help the individual to be more aware of their thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses. It can also be a great way to learn how to manage emotions, including feelings of distress, more effectively.
When coping with postpartum depression, having a good support system is important. Many new mothers may feel pressured to try to do everything on their own in the ways after giving birth. However, this mindset can quickly become overwhelming and exhausting. Accepting help from willing friends and family members can allow the mother time to take care of herself as well.
The weeks and months after giving birth often don’t allow the mother to spend much time alone or focused on herself. Nevertheless, taking even a small amount of time each day to prioritize self-care can make a major difference. This can involve doing things as simple as preparing and eating a healthy meal, taking a shower, or getting some rest. These things can do wonders for both mental and physical health.
In addition to these recommendations, some other things that can help relieve postpartum depression include:
- Focusing on good nutrition as much as possible
- Making time for exercise (even if it is just a walk around the walk)
- Changing one’s surroundings
- Spending some time outside
- Staying connected with family and friends
Seeking Treatment at Wisconsin Wellness
If you are part of the Appleton, Wisconsin community and currently struggling with postpartum depression, there is hope. Our team at Wisconsin Wellness can help you take care of yourself so that you can be the best mother possible for both yourself and your new baby. In addition to somatic therapy, we offer a wide variety of other mental health services as well.
Some of these options include:
- Art therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Couples therapy
- Music therapy
- Trauma therapies
- Mental health outpatient programs
A member of our team will be happy to work with you to determine which of these treatment options may be the best fit for you as you work towards healing and mental health recovery.
Many people struggling with mental health disorders in silence for many years without seeking help. Unfortunately, there is still, at times, a negative stigma surrounding certain mental health conditions. This is not limited to postpartum depression but can involve many other conditions as well. As a result of this stigma, many people may fear they will be viewed poorly if they attempt to get treatment. In reality, mental health disorders are considered a type of disease and should be viewed as such. Nobody should have to struggle alone due to feelings of shame. If you are struggling with your mental health, reach out to Wisconsin Wellness at (920) 404-2100 today to learn more.