Postpartum Depression
Approximately one in ten women experience clinical depression in the postpartum period, making postpartum depression (PPD) the most common complication of pregnancy. The good news is that PPD is highly treatable. In the initial evaluation, I assess whether the postpartum woman is experiencing normal mood fluctuations or whether the symptoms are indicative of PPD. Mild to moderate PPD can often be successfully treated with psychotherapy alone. For moderate to severe PPD, medication is often an important component of effective treatment. When working with women experiencing PPD, I first educate them about the disorder and provide information about the challenges that can often accompany the adjustment to parenthood. We will focus on building emotional and social support systems since a sense of isolation is often a contributory factor in PPD. Psychotherapy can also be beneficial in helping address relationship changes or difficulties that can occur in the postpartum period.
Background