Postpartum Depression – WESTFIELD, NJ
Find Joy as a New Mom
When you welcome a new baby into your family, it should be a happy time — a time to celebrate life. Unfortunately, some new moms suffer from postpartum depression, a condition that makes the challenges of caring for a newborn even more difficult to deal with. What exactly is postpartum depression, and how might our psychiatric team in Westfield be able to help you find joy as a new mom? This page explains.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious disorder that affects about 15% of new moms. It is different from the “baby blues,” which is the period of mood swings and other emotional challenges that affects most postpartum women. Postpartum depression is more serious. It may start shortly after birth or at some point during pregnancy, which is why it is sometimes referred to as peripartum depression.
Because PPD can sometimes result in significant harm to mothers and their babies, it should never be dismissed as a minor issue. If you even suspect you are suffering from it, you should seek professional advice.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Some symptoms that may indicate the presence of PPD include:
- Depressed mood
- Severe mood swings
- Excessive crying
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Significant changes in appetite
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
- Overwhelming exhaustion
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Thoughts of harming the baby
- Fear of not being a good mother
- Intense episodes of anger
- Insomnia
Treatment Options for Postpartum Depression
If you believe you have PPD, we can thoroughly evaluate your circumstances and provide empathetic support. Our team of counselors and psychiatrists want to see you thrive as a new mom! Here are a few examples of the treatments we offer:
TMS Therapy
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, also known as TMS therapy, is an FDA-approved treatment for major depression. As its name implies, it uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain. It is non-invasive, and it is often recommended as a treatment for people who do not respond well to other common depression treatments.
Studies have shown TMS to be effective in treating PPD. In some cases, it has even helped patients to achieve complete remission.
Spravato
Spravato is the brand name for a medication called esketamine. It is administered through a nasal spray, so it tends to work more quickly than traditional antidepressants, which are usually provided in pill form. Spravato is often used alongside traditional medications and for individuals who exhibit treatment-resistant symptoms. Many patients who incorporate Spravato into their PPD treatment regimen notice positive results.
Therapy & Medication Management
Therapy and medication management are often viewed as first-line treatments for PPD. Our counselors are ready to listen with empathy and design a treatment plan, which may involve multiple talk therapy sessions, along with careful adjustments to the medications you take.
