New mom postpartum depression

The postpartum period is an emotional roller coaster for most women. An estimated of new moms. Michelle Fogle, of Mount Lebanon, is opening up about her own struggles with postpartum depression in the hope that other women will learn from her experience. She says a new treatment program called NEST, through UPMC Magee.

The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect - depression.

Most new moms experience postpartum ‘baby blues’ after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Less commonly, difficult childbirth can trigger post traumatic stress symptoms ( PTSD ) for approximately of women and 3- of new moms experience obsessive-compulsive (OCD) symptoms. Common postpartum depression symptoms include: Crying more or for no apparent reason. Feeling depressed , anxious, upset, or angry.

Having trouble sleeping, eating, making choices, or bonding with the baby. Losing interest in activities. Questioning whether you can care for the baby. Difficulty bonding with your baby.

Postpartum depression signs and symptoms may include: Depressed mood or severe mood swings. Withdrawing from family and friends. Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual. Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much. While many women experience the “baby blues” in the first two weeks after having a baby (worry, sadness, and tiredness), these symptoms usually resolve on their own.

Although cases of PPD are reported among around percent of new mothers , it’s believed that this number is actually significantly higher. Since so many affected mothers avoid treatment , either based on a lack of understanding, fear, or embarrassment, prevalence is likely underreported. It can also take on forms of anxiety and psychosis. New Mom Takes Her Own Life After Silent Battle With Postpartum Depression : Why All Of Us Must Share Her Friend’s Plea Allison was a beautiful ray of sunshine in my life. The life of an Army wife can get lonely at times – moving around so much, searching for new friends, and trying to make a strange house and new town feel like home.

Let’s let everyone know that postpartum depression and anxiety are real, are treatable, and affect more women than breast cancer annually. Let’s join new moms and been-there moms and moms-to-be in an honest conversation about their experiences. Let’s talk, and write, and post, and let’s all help moms , babies, and their families. Here are six ways you can help someone who is going through it.

Make it about her—not the baby. Stop trying to solve her problems. Quit asking what you can do and just start.

Baby blues is common and normal. So what’s the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression? It’s NOT normal for a woman to suffer in new motherhood.

It is not normal for her to feel anxious most of the time, it is not normal for her to feel overwhelmed most of the time, and it is not normal for her to feel trapped and angry and uncertain most of the time. Online Therapy with a Licensed Counselor. Available Anytime, Anywhere You Need It.

The Time is Now to Put Yourself First. Identifying Postpartum Depression in New Moms Recognize the warning signs. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), symptoms of postpartum depression can affect as many as percent of women after childbirth and can last as long as a year. Helping New Moms Emerge From Postpartum Depression After her second child was born, Alethea Clark experienced a severe form of postpartum depression. With care from Mayo Clinic Health System, she eventually overcame the disorder.

Now Alethea hopes her story will encourage others to seek help, too. Most often these signs begin 5-days after the birth, lasting just several weeks. With proper treatment, new mothers with postpartum depression can move beyond it. The two basic treatments most doctors recommend for treating postpartum depression are antidepressants and therapy. Many of the symptoms of postpartum depression for men are similar to a woman’s, but can also include headaches, loss of libido and changes in appetite.

As more men talk about postpartum depression , treatment is evolving. Family members and friends may be the first to recognize symptoms of postpartum depression in a new mother. They can encourage her to talk with a health care provider, offer emotional support, and assist with daily tasks such as caring for the baby or the home.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking of suicide, get help quickly.