By Rachel Eddins, M.Ed., LPC

Postpartum Depression: 

Having a baby is one of the most important events in one’s life. However, feelings of sadness and even depression often accompany childbirth for many women. ”Baby blues”, crying easily, feeling irritable or on edge, is a heightened emotional state that occurs in more than half of new mothers. Generally, the “baby blues” goes away after a few weeks.

Postpartum depression is a form of clinical depression that is more debilitating than the ”baby blues.” According to Mental Health America of Greater Houston, it occurs in 1 out in 8 women after having a baby.

Signs may include:

• Sadness 
• Having a short temper
• Crying
• Problems sleeping, even when the baby is sleeping
• Not wanting to hold or touch the baby (not enjoying the baby)
• Feeling tired
• Changes in eating patterns
• Thoughts about her own death or the death of her baby     

Risk factors include intense hormonal changes after childbirth, previous depressive episodes, inadequate support system, and other major life stressors occurring at the same time.

Postpartum Psychosis:

Postpartum psychosis is a very serious and rare condition. Symptoms include: feeling cut off from your baby, seeing things that aren’t there, frantic energy, confusion, memory loss, thoughts of suicide or harm to the baby combined with feelings that you need to act on these thoughts. If you or someone you know is in crisis now or having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24 hour crisis center or call 911.   

Risk factors include a history or family history of bipolar disorder.

What Can I Do?  

If you are having symptoms of postpartum depression, you are not alone. It’s very important to get treatment for depression as soon as possible. Treatment may include therapy and if the depression is more severe, anti-depressant medication. Talk to your doctor or schedule an appointment with a counselor/therapist if you think you or someone you know might be experiencing postpartum depression. You can complete a postpartum depression checklist here and bring it with you to your appointment.

In addition to seeking counseling for yourself, you can also seek support from many of the Houston-area support groups for postpartum depression.

Support Groups:  

Pregnancy and Postpartum Adjustment Support Group: The Woman’s Hospital of Texas

 713-791-7404

Beyond Birth: Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital

713-254-4140

PPD Support Group: Ben Taub Hospital (Spanish Only)

713-873-2552

De Madre a Madre: Community Family Center (Spanish only)

 713-923-2316

Postpartum Support Group: Northwest Houston/Cy-Fair area

281-894-7222

24-Hour Hotlines:

Postpartum Depression Hotline: 1-800-PPD-MOMS

Crisis Intervention, Houston: 713-HOTLINE | 713-526-8088 (Spanish)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Recommended Reading:

Postpartum Depression Demystified: An Essential Guide for Understanding and Overcoming the Most Common Complication after Childbirth

The Mother-to-Mother Postpartum Depression Support Book

Tags: depression, postpartum depression

This entry was posted on Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 3:13 am and is filed under Self-Help, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.