Helping hurting moms

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Editor's note: This is the second part in a two-part series on postpartum depression.

WYANET — The baby is born; the physical pain is almost forgotten; you’re settling into a routine.

⇒ Related story: See Part 1

But something else is wrong.

You’re tired, sad and anxious, and the worst thing is, those feelings are getting worse.

Maybe it’s time to get some help.

For many women, a case of the baby blues is common after childbirth.

“There’s a difference between regular baby blues and something that’s developing more into postpartum depression,” said Nancy Carper, a licensed clinical professional counselor in Wyanet.

One of the difference is the timing and duration of the symptoms.

“Regular baby blues hit within a few days, and they may run a couple weeks as hormones are shifting and changing,” Carper said.

But sometimes the symptoms don’t lift, or they don’t start until the baby is several weeks old.

“If you’re going into postpartum depression, symptoms can start fairly early, but a lot of times they don’t,” Carper said. “It’s a slow, gradual process that develops over a few months.”

Carper said many of the symptoms of postpartum depression are the same as the symptoms of traditional depression and can include lethargy, tiredness, disinterest, sadness, weepiness, anxiety and a disruption in sleeping or eating habits.

Carper said women should seek help if their symptoms don’t go away.

“It’s heeding that notice that you just don’t have any energy,” she said. “It’s three months down the road, and you’re getting worse, not getting better.”

Carper said some of the treatments for postpartum depression are very similar to regular depression, and she uses cognitive behavioral therapy.

“One part is behavioral, getting them going and doing certain things that will help them feel physically and emotionally better,” she said. “The other part is working with their thinking — how are they contributing to their poor mood.”

Another factor is working with the new mother’s family.

“Sometimes what we find with postpartum depression is there are factors that contribute to it that make it, perhaps, worse,” Carper said. “Like if the family situation at the home is very stressful, or if there’s not a lot of support for the new mother.”

Carper can’t prescribe medication, but she and other counselors can send women to a psychiatrist or work with her physician.

“Oftentimes medications such as antidepressants are prescribed by general practitioners, so what we do is work hand in hand with them,” Carper said.

Carper said one of the keys to preventing postpartum depression is to be aware of it. Women should know if they have a family history of either postpartum or regular depression, and if so, making their physician aware of that.

Being on the lookout for postpartum depression symptoms might not keep them from coming, but early detection can mean early treatment. While many women simply suffer in silence, those who seek and receive help will recover quicker and with fewer negative effects, such as delayed bonding with the baby.

“The benefit is getting you back to your normal lifestyle a lot quicker,” Carper said. “The sooner you start working on these symptoms, the better the outcome.”