Postpartum Depression
by Barbara Dehn - 10th January 2008
Ok, the holidays are over! Whew, there’s a lot to do this time of year and some of us never get caught up or are able to send out holiday cards. Sometimes there’s a huge let down after the excitement peters out. Now, imagine all of that and a new baby in the house. For some moms, it’s an easy integration and for others the sleep deprivation and combined with the stress of the holidays is just too much.
I saw a mom a few days ago with a significant postpartum depression. She attributes it to the stress of entertaining so many people during the holidays with her new baby and 4 year old at home. The expectations were implicitly understood from her family. She would have everyone at her house for a few days. No matter that she delivered during the 2nd week of December, her house was biggest, and they wanted to see the baby. Yes, if you’re wondering, we did work on some boundary setting and role played how to say, “I wish I could, but I can’t right now.”
This mom was also unable to breastfeed the way she wanted to. Again and again she visited lactation consultants, pumped around the clock and in desperation supplemented with formula. She described some feelings of shortness of breath and a racing heart, which is one of the symptoms of a panic attack. She was having trouble sleeping and was crying a lot. All of these symptoms and her answers on the Beck Depression Inventory indicated depression and anxiety. She is getting counseling and is not interested in medication. Luckily there are some great resources out there for postpartum depression. Postpartum Support International’s website is: . Also Beyond The Blues has been extremely helpful for many women. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, since early recognition and treatment is key.
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