Postpartum depression? Need help.

Hello Hayley! 

Thanks for reaching out for guidance on your depressive symptoms. 

It takes a lot of courage to ask for help. 

Without knowing a lot about other circumstances around your depression or previous challenges with this, there are several things you can do.  Re-establishing control is essential so that you do not feel like a prisoner of your emotions. 

• One is to talk with your primary care physician about how you are feeling.  Pregnancy impacts not only our physical body but our emotional state and the hormone shifts can throw things completely out of wack. 
• Another thing you can do is to engage in therapy for additional support and guidance during this time.  Sometimes talking through emotions can help alleviate distress and overwhelm.  It is also important to inform your support group - friends, family, religious community - and request their assistance during this time. 
• A third thing you can do is to slowly re-introduce a routine that involves self-care.  For instance, if you had an exercise regimen before pregnancy and slowed during pregnancy then start one day at a time to participate in this exercise regimen. It is a good idea to start small so that you feel successful and accomplished.  Start with one day a week, and engage in the activity at a specific time for a specific length of time.  Do this for about a week or two and re-evaluate if you are ready to add another day and so on.  Keep it slow and be patient. 
• Finally, the bond with your child is important.  Create moments where your interactions are during joyous times so that your engagement is not just focused on times your child needs something.  This will also help you recognize the positives. When we feel depressed and have so many emotions tied in to feeling overwhelmed then we tend to focus so much energy on the negative outcomes and impacts of life.  Pay attention to the positive outcomes and moments when you feel happy. 

Understand that this will take time to improve your mood but that you do have control.  I understand it may not feel like you have control. 

Be patient with yourself and kind to yourself. 

Take care of you.