Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

You learned you were pregnant, spent a substantial amount of time growing and stretching your body & mind, went into labor, and birthed a new life into the world... all to come to find yourself experiencing debilitating depression and/or anxiety. You are likely sleep deprived, feeling shame, possibly resentment, severe regret, a longing to go back, having terrifying thoughts, and are feeling very ALONE.

You have just embarked upon one of the most emotional, physical, and mental life transitions in your entire life. You imagined and thought you would fall madly in love with your baby the moment they landed in your arms.

If you are here, you know you are very likely not simply experiencing the "baby blues." The first few weeks & months of having a baby, even without postpartum depression and anxiety can be really REALLY hard time for a multitude of reasons. But with time, most women will start to come out of that extreme hormonal shift and also start to adapt to their new world and new addition.

Devastatingly enough, for some women they never feel that thick fog lifting. You may identify with some or many of the following postpartum depression symptoms: 

• Excessive crying
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue or no energy
• Difficulty bonding with your newborn
• Withdraw from family and friends
• Insomnia & sleep troubles
• Depressed mood or severe mood swings
• Loss of appetite or increased appetite
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or shame
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Wanting to leave your partner and child and start over somewhere new
• Extreme resentment toward partner
• The sensation of abandonment 
• Deep, entrenched desire to go back to your life before having your baby.
• Wishing away your baby
• Reduced interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death
• Anxiety and panic attacks

and/or the following symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea/dizziness
• Racing thoughts
• Muscle tension
• Change in heart rate/breathing
• Dread of a sense of looming danger
• Feeling agitated
• Excessive and relentless worry about the baby's health & safety

Perinatal Depression & Anxiety

This occurs while you are pregnant and have not had your baby yet. This is often very overlooked and it is a subset of women who absolutely deserve to be extremely cared for and mentally supported.

Clinically proven CBT & Psychotherapy is the first line of treatment that is highly effective and encouraged. It may become apparent at some point in our work together if this will not be supportive enough. The next line of treatment are SSRIs. 

Please do not feel a moment of hesitation to reach out if you need or crave help. You will be met with empathy, compassion, and a very safe space to support your recovery in healing.

(PPD & PPA groups coming soon). 

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

The spouse who did not carry the baby is depressed? What do you mean? Anyone involved in bringing a new child into this world can experience their own form of depression and significant difficulty after their partner births their child.