"Shouldn’t I Be Able to Cope with Postpartum Depression on My Own?" – 3 Reasons Therapy Is Vital
Whether you just gave birth or your baby is a few months old, you’re not alone if you’re experiencing postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression (PPD) actually affects about 50% of new mothers. It can come with symptoms like anger, anxiety, fatigue, or even a feeling of hopelessness.
While PPD can go away eventually, you shouldn’t have to deal with it on your own. If you do, and you don’t find effective ways to cope, it can last much longer and have a greater impact on your life. It may also cause you to interact less with your new baby, and that can affect your child.
Therapy isn't just a great way to get through this uneasy, confusing time—it's vital!
Why?
If you’re struggling with postpartum depression and have been putting off the idea of therapy, take these reasons into consideration why treatment is so important.
1. Therapy Can Help You See That You’re Not Alone
Many women struggle with feeling totally alone and/or isolated when they’re dealing with PPD. A therapist is there to help you see that you’re certainly not alone and that you have nothing to feel ashamed of.
A therapist can also encourage you to develop a network of support. This could include family members, friends, or other mothers who may have gone through the same thing in the past.
Thanks to advancements in technology, even if the important people in your life live far away, you can connect with them on a regular basis for support. Whether you simply need to vent to someone or you need solid advice, knowing that you have people there to back you up can make a huge difference in how you feel.
2. Therapy Can Help You Alleviate Your Guilt
Having postpartum depression doesn’t mean you’re a bad mother. Unfortunately, though, the guilt associated with PPD is often what keeps mothers from seeking out help.
Between your hormones jumping around all over the place, the new responsibilities of motherhood, and a sleep schedule you’re not used to, it’s completely okay to feel overwhelmed!
Talking to a therapist can help you to cope with any feelings of guilt. It can make you realize that you’re not a bad mother. That what you're dealing with is not abnormal. And that dealing with PPD is not a reflection on your worth as a person.
In seeking out professional help, you’re not only doing what’s best for you. You’re doing what’s best for your child, too, so you can be the best mother you can possibly be.
3. Therapy Can Help You to Change Your Behaviors
An important area which therapy for postpartum depression addresses is identifying your behaviors and finding different, positive ways to change them.
One of the best ways to do that is to give yourself permission to take care of yourself. As a new mother, it feels natural to try to put all of your focus on your baby. But when you neglect taking care of yourself, you’re not going to be able to give your child the best care possible.
A therapist can help you to create a plan to get more rest, exercise, eat healthier, and find things that make you feel more like you again. That can be overwhelming to do on your own. But getting help from an experienced professional can take away some of that pressure and stress.
Don’t feel bad about struggling with PPD. The sooner you realize you’re not alone in your struggle, the easier it will be to accept some kind of help.
If you’re dealing with the symptoms of postpartum depression and you’ve been trying to cope with it on your own, it’s time to give therapy a try. You have too much to deal with on your own already. Not addressing your condition will only make things harder.
I’m here to help you get through this struggle and will work with you every step of the way. Don’t feel as though you have to go through this alone for another minute! Please, contact me with any questions you may have or to set up an appointment.