Is Postpartum Depression a Mental Health Disorder?

Mental health disorders can exist in various forms, shapes, and sizes, and postpartum depression (PPD) is often times overlooked as one. The symptoms and side effects of it are considered normal yet an almost inevitable experience frequent for new moms.

Due to the under-education of society, as it pertains to postpartum depression, many moms, new or with time under their belt, suffer in silence. Depression of any kind is not something that one should just simply have to deal with. It's not like a growth spurt or a phase in life that people just go through.

Depression can be treated and even, in some cases, prevented. However, when mental health conditions are not seen as the disease that it is oftentimes, one does not receive the necessary treatment that one needs in order to recover.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

Some may think of postpartum depression as a little hiccup that new moms experience. However, it is derived from emotional, physical, and behavioral changes that any woman can experience as a side effect of childbirth.

Postpartum depression, which is similar to depression itself, consists of an overwhelming feeling of sadness, anxiety, exhaustion, and hopelessness. Feeling this way can make it extremely hard to tend to and care for yourself as well as your child.

Depression is among the most common mental health issues that Americans come in contact with. Due to this reality, the need for treatment is ever-growing. Some may not understand the weight of dealing with postpartum depression and being a mom. It is a lot to manage alone, and with the right help, you can overcome it.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

There is no distinct cause of postpartum depression. Sometimes women are not even aware of what PPD is or how it presents itself. They feel like the overwhelming feelings they experience daily are just a part of adjusting to life as a mom.

Some symptoms of PPD are:

• Changes in mood, like crying or irritability

• Change in appetite

• Self-neglect

• Child neglect

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Lack of concentration

These symptoms are not limited to what's listed above. PPD can be present without it having a specific look. Some can even absent-mindedly hide the fact that they are experiencing postpartum depression because they are so used to going through the motions. However, being able to identify the symptoms of postpartum depression can make a huge difference in your experience with it.

Misconceptions Surrounding Postpartum Depression

Women put their lives on the line to bring children into the world. The cost of reproduction, however, does not stop at the risk of one's life. Postpartum depression can throw off everything in a mom's world.

Of course, having a child changes one's life completely. However, when postpartum depression is attached to this new normal as well, it can truly send you on a whirlwind you didn't think was possible to experience.

One of the biggest misconceptions of postpartum depression is that this maternal-related form of depression only takes place after giving birth. Perinatal depression is a kind of depression that can take place during pregnancy and once a woman has actually given birth. Some even consider postpartum depression to only be present and exist the first few months after giving birth. However, there is no specific timeframe that it can last. Some moms can even experience it for the duration of the first year, and about 25% beyond the first. So essentially, it can affect women long after they've given birth.

How Treatment Centers Can Help Treat Postpartum Depression

Moms who must concurrently deal with postpartum depression and parenting can struggle to navigate their daily duties and responsibilities. Caring for babies takes a lot of work. Sometimes this involves sleepless nights, missing meals, and even missing showers. Accomplishing it alone can feel especially defeating, but even with a house full of help, the role of a mom is never-ending.

If you can identify with these feelings, know that it is not just you. You are not just inferior or whatever negative labels you may have put on yourself. Our treatment providers can help you navigate these feelings.

We even offer an assessment to help you determine whether or not you are depressed. That way, if you have concerns but are not completely sure, you can make a confident decision to seek treatment.

Remember not to beat yourself up or feel inadequate. If you feel overwhelmed with all of these emotions and responsibilities colliding, it is because it is completely normal. Our treatment providers can provide a strategic plan to navigate your postpartum depression. We can educate you further on depression and provide resources to help you recover.

Supporting Women Through Maternal Mental Health

Women-specific treatment approaches recognize the unique challenges of postpartum depression:

• Understanding the hormonal and physical changes that contribute to postpartum depression

• Addressing guilt and shame often associated with maternal mental health struggles

• Providing support for breastfeeding mothers who may have concerns about medication

• Recognizing the impact of sleep deprivation and lifestyle changes on mental health

• Addressing relationship changes and support system needs

Find Specialized Postpartum Depression Treatment

Postpartum depression is a mental health disorder that many mothers experience. A lot of people lack education about this form of depression and do not even consider it to be a mental health condition. PPD can start before a mother gives birth in the form of perinatal depression and can also last much longer than right after the baby is born. Various challenges come with postpartum depression, making it hard for moms to fully adapt to their new normal. Although the commonality of experiencing PPD is normal, being stuck in that state of despair shouldn't be.

Finding the right treatment for postpartum depression is crucial for both mother and child. Specialized providers who understand the unique challenges of maternal mental health can provide comprehensive care that addresses both depression symptoms and the practical realities of motherhood.

Our treatment directory can help you locate mental health professionals who specialize in women's mental health and understand the complexities of postpartum depression. Whether you're experiencing symptoms during pregnancy or months after childbirth, our directory can connect you with providers who offer evidence-based treatments specifically designed for depression and maternal mental health concerns. Don't suffer in silence – help is available and recovery is possible.