Postpartum Depression Support - Getting Support For Postpartum Depression

If you have just had a new baby, you may very commonly experiencing what are called the "baby blues."

Baby blues are mild depressive symptoms, and should go away within about two weeks.

However, if your so called "baby blues" last longer than that, and your symptoms are severe, such that you feel anxious, have insomnia, have crying jags, or worse, you may in fact be suffering from postpartum depression.

There is help available for postpartum depression, so make sure you visit a health professional to take care of it.

What causes postpartum depression?

You may be fatigued because of the extra work a new baby brings, or you may be insecure about your abilities as a parent.

You may experience hormonal changes as a result of "coming off of" pregnancy hormones and going back to normal hormonal levels, or you may have guilt and fear, feel helpless, be confused, and be unable to perform the simplest of daily tasks.

The symptoms are many, and if you experience them, you should seek help immediately.

Do not refuse to seek help; it is true that many women do, and it is also common that you may feel embarrassed to talk about your symptoms because you feel ashamed or guilty, and because the emotions themselves are simply tumultuous.

You may also feel that you should simply be experiencing joy for the precious new bundle that has come into your life. Why, then, do you feel so sad and depressed?

What is most important here is that you get help and support if you are feeling that way.

Seek help from friends and family, find a support group for mothers suffering from postpartum depression, or seek help from a therapist.

Support group therapy is especially beneficial, since you can share experiences with others, and this is a very effective treatment for postpartum depression. Talk therapy with a trained therapist or social worker is also very beneficial.

Doing so can help you cope with your depression and learn ways to change your way of thinking so that you can "get back to normal."

If you do not treat your postpartum depression, it could be dangerous both for you and your baby. Because you are not taking care of yourself, you cannot take care of your baby properly, either.

You may lose weight when you should be providing food for both yourself and your baby, you may not sleep well, and you may even turn to recreational drugs for relief, when they could be harmful to both you and your baby.

Taken to extremes, your baby could be impacted negatively over the long term by your depression, if he or she does not get the proper attention and nurturing he or she needs to thrive.

If you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, make sure you call for help right away, so that you can get it taken care of.

One of the groups that can help is an organization called Postpartum Support International. Should you call upon Postpartum

Support International, a volunteer will contact you within 24 hours and you will be given the appropriate referrals to services needed, including emergency services if necessary.

Finally, remember you are not to blame if you suffer from postpartum depression. It is normal to be as confused about the illness is anyone else might be.

Seeking help from a support group, professional organization, or professional ensures that you get the right treatment and tools so that you get through this most arduous time and get the help you need.

Programs, communities, professionals and families can all work together to help women who need assistance with their postpartum depression.

Remember, if you think you are suffering from postpartum depression, get help. Social isolation and a lack of support can affect both you and your baby negatively.

Utilize peer support groups, talk therapy, and any other methods to help you through this illness. There are many professionals available to you that can help you if you are suffering from this debilitating condition.

Remember as well that peers can help.

Peer support groups can be an adjunct to medication and therapy, since most of the people who run these groups have also been through postpartum depression themselves.

Emma has written about some very practical suggestions you can find when you conduct research on postpartum depression, which you can learn about at http://www.PostpartumDepressionTreatment.org. Also, discover the treating PPD resource that has helped many women and other postpartum depression treatment options.