It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Thoughts on Postpartum Depression
What to know about postpartum depression
Depression, unfortunately, is a struggle that many in our country are all-too familiar with. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 16.2 million people, on a yearly average, have a depressive episode. But one of the most common, unspoken forms of depression is Postpartum Depression. An estimated 50-75% of first-time moms experience "baby blues." Fifteen percent of this group of women develop further, more severe symptoms that develop into Postpartum Depression.
Signs that you may be experiencing Postpartum Depression:
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day for the last two weeks.
Feeling anxious, guilty, hopeless, scared, panicked or worthless.
Difficulty thinking, concentrating making decisions, or dealing with everyday situations.
Loss of interest or pleasure in most of the activities during the day nearly everyday for the last two weeks
Balancing motherhood
As a mother of 3, let me share openly that motherhood, while beautiful and one of the best decisions I have ever made, can be really hard sometimes. Those sweet faces, coos, and giggles brighten my day, but I'd be lying if I didn't also acknowledge that there are some dark moments and days, too.
Every mom has a different experience and each pregnancy is different for every mom. It can be very overwhelming going from relying on our bodies physically to provide & nurture our growing babies (which is taxing and tiresome) to then caring for ourselves and still being responsible for providing & nurturing our growing babies (extra taxing and tiresome). Then we do it over and over and sometimes over again.
Preparing for changes of motherhood
So do yourself a favor and prepare for ALL of the uncontrollable changes motherhood brings. Call a friend, take care of yourself, and listen to your body both physically and mentally. Talk to your doctor about how you're feeling after pregnancy and don't be afraid to be honest. Ask your doctor for further assistance if needed; medication and therapy can be very essential during life transitions such as childbirth. Or call our office and ask to talk to someone! We're waiting to help and we're only one call away.
About Two Roads Wellness Clinic
At Two Roads Wellness Clinic, we want to help you find the path that makes a difference in your life. We’re an integrative health clinic offering a vast array of services including, mental health treatments such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), expressive arts therapy, family therapy, medication management, primary care, integrative nutritional support including genetic nutritional counseling, life coaching, massage therapy, physical therapy, infrared sauna services, community education and outreach, and more.
The Two Roads Wellness Clinic team of therapists, medical and nutrition staff, massage therapists, life coaches, physical therapists, and emotional support animals are ready to help you find an integrated approach to your wellness. To schedule an appointment, visit our contact page, to get started at one of our convenient locations in Champaign, Danville, or Mahomet.