Therapist: If you have postpartum depression, all is not lost

Postpartum depression is a term that many of us have heard, but many still don’t take it seriously. When I gave birth to my son almost 24 years ago, it was termed “baby blues,” and I don’t even remember being asked by my doctor about my experience. Any woman can experience postpartum depression, and as with any other disorder, early intervention is key. Although many women recover quickly, within weeks or months, many go undiagnosed due to conflict in privacy and not wanting to disclose to loved ones.

More: Guest: State of maternal health in Oklahoma is bleak. We are failing women, especially Black women

Data revealed by the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) indicates that up to nearly 6% of women will experience a major depressive episode during pregnancy and up to one year following birth. The National Center for Biotechnology Information estimates it is 1 in 7 women who may experience it. Research also estimates that nearly 50% of those depressive episodes began during pregnancy, prior to delivery. Finally, postpartum depression with psychosis, extreme cases, only occurs in 1 to every 1,000 births.

During pregnancy, the hormones estrogen and progesterone both increase so that a woman’s body may maintain the pregnancy. Immediately following birth, these hormones drop back to normal levels, sometimes as quickly as within 24 hours of birth. Additionally, if there is a reduction in oxytocin — the hormone required for bonding and attachment — during the third trimester, this can increase the chances of a woman experiencing postpartum depression.

However, there are many criteria that go into diagnosing a woman with postpartum depression. One criterion to meet postpartum depression is intensity — meaning it interferes with the ability to care for the new infant and lasts longer, sometimes up to a year. The most common adjustment issues that many women may feel after childbirth, such as lack of sleep, increased anxiety, decreased activity levels and change in environment, can become overwhelming. Should this become so overwhelming, and left untreated, it may lead to things such as lack of bonding with the infant, failure to breastfeed, negative parenting practices and marital discord.

According to the National Institute of Health, postpartum depression is usually diagnosed within 2 to 4 weeks following delivery. Five of the following symptoms must be present to be diagnosed: severe mood swings, excessive crying, difficulty bonding with infant, withdrawing from others, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and thoughts of harming either self or baby or both. Screening should be done by a doctor between 2 to 6 months after the birth, and psychotherapy and antidepressants are the first line of treatment.

More: Educating Oklahomans about coverage options is key to avoiding health care catastrophe

Risk factors may include previous episodes of depression before and during pregnancy, obstetric risk factors such as difficulty with delivery, lack of social support, genetics and low Vitamin B. Data shows that complications with postpartum depression may lead to harming the child by mother’s negative attitude toward the child, decreased bond, negative impact on the child’s growth and development, altered cognitive development with child, behavioral issues, obesity and dysfunction in the child’s social interactions.

But not all is lost; postpartum depression is treatable. There are many ways to help a new mother, such as listening without judgment and comparisons. Assist the new mother in finding a plan that uniquely helps her, reassuring her that help is available, and find small ways to be assistance to her. Many times, there are free local support groups to assist new mothers. Finally, encourage new moms not to skip their post-delivery check-ups with their doctors, especially if the symptoms continue after two weeks.

Brandi Gibson is a licensed marital/family therapist and licensed drug and alcohol counselor in Oklahoma City.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Postpartum depression can happen to any new mom, but help is available