As a new mom, you’re likely to experience a broad range of emotions in those first few months after giving birth. Before giving birth, you probably heard non-stop comments about how much you’re going to love your new baby and how amazing it is to be a mom, but not many talk about the more difficult feelings that come along with the experience.
You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed and possibly depressed. Becoming a mom for the first time or adding to your family is a major adjustment, and it can feel like you’re losing yourself. Postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 moms and can diminish your quality of life and joy in your newborn. If you’ve been diagnosed with PPD or think you may have it, these tips can help you improve your symptoms.
1. Talk to a Professional
Talking about your symptoms with your doctor or mental health professional is an essential first line of defense. It can be hard to open up about how you’re feeling, but the help they can give you is priceless. Your doctor can work with you to find an anti-depressant that works well for you.
Even if you don’t want to use medication, you can see a therapist. Cognitive behavior therapy is typically quite effective in treating PPD. However, if you and your doctor determine you’re experiencing severe symptoms of depression, they may recommend using medication and therapy together, which is shown to have the best outcomes for moms.
2. Lean On Your Support System
Talking to a therapist can drastically improve your symptoms, but they can’t help you outside the office. For continued support, lean on your support system of trusted friends and family. Open up about how you’re feeling and ask for help. They could bring you meals, get you out of the house and help with child care. Also, ask someone close to you to be your accountability partner to check in on you and your mental health.
One of the most challenging aspects of PPD is feeling alone. To combat those feelings, look for a support group near you of other moms going through the same thing. If you don’t have an in-person support group, head online
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