Are you pregnant, a new mother, or the mother of a growing family? Have you noticed your mood changing, your energy dropping, and your motivation fading? Do you feel lonely, isolated, and disconnected from your baby and others? Are you struggling to bond with, care for, or love your newborn? Have you lost most interest and pleasure in life? How long does PPD last? Where can you go for ppd help?
Being a mom is difficult. You want to feel connected to your newborn.
You know you love your child. In fact, you’ve spent months preparing to bring this baby home. However, most of the time you just don’t feel those warm fuzzies you expected. You’ve wondered if you might have postpartum depression. Or maybe someone in your life even brought it up. All you know is that you’re exhausted and this isn’t how you wanted things to go.
Any Mother Can Experience Depression After Birth
No matter if you are a seasoned veteran mom of multiple kids or just finding out that you are pregnant with your first, perinatal depression can take hold of even the best moms. Feeling depressed doesn’t mean you are a bad mom. It means you are human. Your body is going through changes throughout pregnancy and again for many months after pregnancy. Throw in a little sleep deprivation, and it’s no wonder many moms feel depressed during pregnancy and when their child is an infant!
If any of this sounds familiar, you might be struggling with depression. The good news is things can get better. You don’t have to face this alone. Postpartum Wellness is here to help you be the best version of yourself as a mom!
What is Postpartum Depression (ppd)?
Postpartum depression (ppd) is a specific form of depression that falls under the umbrella of what professionals call perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, or PMADs. Maternal depression can occur anytime around pregnancy and birth of the child. Postpartum depression is used to describe perinatal depression that specifically occurs after the pregnancy.
Signs of Depression After Birth
Every mom’s situation is unique and therefore your experience of perinatal postpartum depression (ppd) will be unique. However, there are some common things to look for as you transition into motherhood. Some of the warning signs of depression after birth include:
- Frequent sadness or crying
- Mood swings and irritability
- Fatigue
- Appetite changes
- Withdrawal from others
- Frequent fighting or arguing
Of course, many of these are common experiences during and after pregnancy, and you know your body and your mood better than anyone else.
However, if you are noticing these issues are lasting more than 2-3 weeks postpartum, it may be time to consider postpartum counseling. Also, if any of these symptoms are affecting your ability to do work, love, or play, seek professional help immediately.
Where To Get Help For Postpartum Depression?
What can help with postpartum depression (ppd)? The good news is that you don’t have to walk through this journey alone. Counseling can help you be the mom you’ve always dreamed of. Postpartum depression is very common, but also very treatable.
Postpartum Wellness provides individual counseling for depression during pregnant or postpartum for women from all over Northern Virginia (McLean, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Springfield, Chantilly, and beyond) because we believe that everyone – including you – deserves a chance to thrive. We also offer counseling services online and throughout Maryland and Washington, DC.
How will therapy help with my depression after birth?
Perinatal and other forms of depression tend to be caused by something we call the “depression spiral.”
When it comes to perinatal depression, sometimes this spiral begins with the hormonal changes that occur before, during, and after pregnancy. This causes a temporary chemical imbalance in the brain as your body adapts to the changes that are happening. Sometimes, the spiral can begin when you lose your child prematurely through miscarriage or infant death.
Regardless of the cause, the depression spiral can be devastating. Women can begin to lose all hope, motivation, and purpose as the spiral continues to reinforce itself over time, making them feel more and more helpless and disconnected from others.
Postpartum Depression Counseling Helps You Break the Spiral
Therapy for maternal depression (ppd) is all about breaking that spiral. Sometimes our thoughts will hold us back, tell us that we can’t ask for help, that we shouldn’t be “needy.” Sometimes our feelings of sadness and pain will keep us from taking care of ourselves and others. And sometimes we become so disconnected and isolated, we feel like the world has forgotten about us and our needs.
You are not alone in your motherhood journey.
Therapy provides a safe, judgement-free space where you can share, feel heard, and become empowered. You can learn to cope with the stressors of motherhood and begin to make real, positive changes in your life.
And together, we can get you back on the path to wellness.
Do not wait and hope for things to get better on their own. Here at Postpartum Wellness, we strive to help women just like you find freedom from depression. Contact us today to learn how we can make that happen.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCREENING
Postpartum Depression Treatment
At Postpartum Wellness
We are here for you!
Postpartum Wellness provides expert individual therapy for depression after birth for women from all over Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC because we believe in the healing power of connection.
Our counselors use effective counseling techniques while putting our relationship with you front and center. Our goal is to help you find true healing through connection and giving you new skills to try.
Depending on your specific needs, your therapist may use solution-focused counseling techniques, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and/or Interpersonal Therapy. We take a holistic approach to helping you find joy in parenting and the rest of your life.
Each therapy session is private. We have offices in Arlington, VA, Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC. Counseling can be provided online, as well. We can also work with your physician or midwife if they think your depression may have a chemical component. Many moms benefit from the combination of medication and talk therapy, so it can be helpful for your therapist and physician to work together.
Your first counseling session will be an “intake interview.” This is where you will paint a clear picture for your therapist of your current problem. Through talking in this first session, your counselor will come to better understand your depression symptoms and what your specific pain points are. From there, you and your therapist will come up with a plan for treatment. From there, we meet for regular individual therapy sessions – which is where the real work begins.
How Postpartum Counseling Helps Moms
Your therapist will help you begin to:
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Break free from the depression spiral
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Relax and sleep better
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Build connection and love for your child
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Use coping strategies when you feel stressed
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Feel confident as a parent
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Maintain self-control
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Think positively and understand your emotions
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Find wellness and joy
We call our practice Postpartum Wellness for a reason.
We started this practice because we are passionate about providing a safe and caring space for women to process their pregnancy and postpartum experiences. The silent struggle that many women experience impacts their relationships with self, partner, friends, family, colleagues, and the rest of society. The shame and stigma around pregnancy and postpartum stress needs to be recognized – and we want to be part of that change.
Postpartum Depression Counseling in Arlington, VA,
Bethesda, MD, & Washington, DC
Getting Help For Postpartum Depression. Do you see the signs of postpartum depression (ppd) in yourself? Do you feel guilty because you aren’t enjoying the first months of your baby’s life? Being a new mom is hard, but you don’t have to struggle alone. Our skilled therapists at Postpartum Wellness are here to help you find joy as a new mom. Online counseling is available in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. Contact us today to begin finding your way through postpartum depression.
