While most people associate rehab centers with addictions linked to alcohol and other drugs, rehab centers are suitable to treat other conditions like depression. Facilities often have experts and equipment that can help deal with mental issues. Professionals could offer assistance to help you deal with any depression, including postpartum depression.
What Is Postpartum Depression
Most new mothers experience a period of exhaustion leading to sadness and anxiety after a child has been born. The condition is called baby blues and often lapse after about two weeks. Some parents, however, develop severe conditions than baby blues, postpartum depression. Postpartum depression mostly affects new parents, but it can happen to any parent.
If left untreated, the depression may be prolonged, and the parent may lose any ability to care and bond with their child. Some common symptoms of postpartum depression include:
• Being angry and easily irritable
• Uncontrollable mood swings
• Having the feeling of being inadequate, worthless, ashamed, and guilty.
• Appetite fluctuations
Postpartum depression is common even to enthusiastic parents. The experience can be challenging and difficult to recover from. Seek medical advice when the baby blues intensifies to get the right help.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
Even though postpartum depression can affect all sorts of parents, there some root causes that may intensify the feeling.
Previous /existing depression.
People with a record of depression at any point in their lives can be easily affected by postpartum depression. The condition can lift a few months if a person has no previous record of depression, but it tends to be severe in people with existing depression.
History of Abuse
The risk of getting postpartum depression significantly increases if the parents have been abused in the past. This can include sexual abuse as a child or an adult, physical, verbal or emotional abuse, or a parent who has post-traumatic stress disorder. Giving birth can trigger the past experience, which results in parents being depressed.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can lead to brain fluctuations, which leads to mood disorder. A mood disorder can trigger anxiety and depression. When the body changes due to pregnancy, a person is more subjected to mood disorder, thus end up developing the postpartum disease.
Stress
Stress caused by financial instability, lack of partner support, lack of emotional support, and being unprepared to be a parent can cause postpartum disorder.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Progesterone and estrogen production vary during pregnancy. When the child is born, the creation of the hormones stops, and the body reacts by dropping dopamine and serotine levels. The lack of these hormones can result in postpartum depression.
Treatment for Postpartum
The condition is not voluntary, so the best course of action you can take is seeking help. Doctors may recommend medical treatment using antidepressants. The medication may, however, have some side effects to the baby in case you are breastfeeding; thus, an alternative therapy is recommended.
Psychotherapy involves talking out your mental issues to a psychiatrist. Talking out the problems can help you set goals to solve problems, respond to the situation better, and cope with your feelings. Parents with postpartum depression can learn how to beat depression through therapy.
The treatment plan should be practical, and after a few months, your conditions should improve over time.
Rehab for Postpartum Depression
If the condition is severe, a parent may need hospitalization. Most rehab centers are equipped with facilities and experts to help a parent deal with extreme postpartum depression. Treatment is given according to the experts, and it may include medication and electroconvulsive therapy.
Medications are for dealing with the signs and symptoms. They may include mood stabilizers, antipsychotic meds, and benzodiazepines.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is conducted when the patient experiences postpartum psychosis. It involves passing small electrical currents through the brain to trigger a small seizure. The seizure changes brain chemistry, which in turns reduce depression. It is the last option where other methods have been unsuccessful.
Rehab programs also offer support to coping groups. Support groups are an excellent way to meet parents who are facing similar conditions. They can share their experiences and what they did in a particular situation. Belonging to a specific group aids in the recovery process since you feel you are not alone. Support groups are also very therapeutic since you can share your frustrations with people having similar problems.
Postpartum depression is not anyone’s fault, and it can happen to anyone. If you experience any symptoms of the condition, seek help from doctors and local support programs so they can give you additional guidelines. If you are ready to make positive changes in your life, call us at 833-610-1174.