Counseling for Postpartum
Counseling for Individuals Experiencing Postpartum Mood Disorders
In some cases, new moms experience intense feelings and changes in their mood.
While some influx in emotion and heightened response is to be expected secondary to hormonal shifts related to pregnancy, birth, and lack of sleep – overwhelming emotional response interfering with your ability to function and care for yourself and your baby can be a sign of a Perinatal or Postpartum Mood Disorder.
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders are much more complex than what is commonly discussed. This encompasses Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Symptoms, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Mood Disorders, and Postpartum Psychosis.
These experiences are serious in nature and deserve comprehensive treatment with postpartum counseling.
"The Baby Blues"
It is estimated that up to 80% of women experience what is referred to as “the baby blues” Nearly 20% of those who experience baby blues will develop clinical postpartum depression with 1 in 8 women experiencing significant symptoms.
If you or your partner are experiencing, please know that there is help:
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Anger, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, mood swings, panic attacks
- Unexplained crying, irritability, restlessness
- Fatigue or loss of appetite
- Weight gain or loss
- Difficulty concentrating, intrusive thoughts
- Depression or fear
- Difficulty sleeping or repeatedly going over thoughts
Approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of women in the postpartum period develop anxiety.
Please know that if you are experiencing these symptoms you are not alone and we are here to help.
If you believe you are suffering from postpartum mood issues, we can help.
Call 616-200-4433 or click one of the profiles below:
References:
Cameron, E. E., Sedov, I. D., & Tomfohr-Madsen, L. M. (2016). Prevalence of paternal depression in pregnancy and the postpartum: an updated meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 206, 189-203.
Goodman, J. H. (2004). Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and implications for family health. Journal of advanced nursing, 45(1), 26-35.
