One day, you’re child-free, and the next day, you’ve changed 15 diapers, slept a total of 2 hours, shoved a handful of chips into your mouth, and can vaguely recall life before baby.
Did you know? 1 in 7 Moms and 1 in 10 Dads suffer from postpartum depression. Postpartum depression affects both men and women. Symptoms are often missed because they overlap with the emotional and physical changes that accompany the transition into parenthood. Therefore, it is difficult to know what is normal and what is not.
A few risk factors that may contribute to feelings of depression during the postpartum time-period include:
• Personal history of depression/anxiety
• Family history of depression/anxiety
• Financial strain
• Insufficient support system
• Sleep disturbances
• Ambivalence about being a parent
• Relationship strain with your own parent(s)
Keep in mind that depression does not always look like sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. A person can also (or instead) experience irritability, isolation, criticalness, and inability to sleep.
Why is it hard to get help?
Men often would rather not share their feelings with other people and will try to explain their mood changes by believing they just need a quick fix, like a good night’s rest. Men sometimes claim they feel the pressure of traditional gender roles and believe they must put on a tough facade. Additionally, it is more common to not acknowledge symptoms and try to mask depression through risky behaviors, such as alcohol or substance abuse.
Women might feel guilty about not meeting the societal expectations of being a perfect mother and partner while also keeping the house tidy, cooking everyone’s meals, and hosting visitors. They also traditionally fear being labeled a bad mother.
What can you do to manage negative feelings as a new parent?
• Talk to someone you trust
• Tell people how you feel
• Identify counselors in your local area
• Accept that feeling relief will take time
• Engage in mild exercise (e.g., take a walk around the block)
• Eat well-balanced meals
Furthermore, parenting is hard on a relationship. It IS possible for a relationship to survive and THRIVE after a new baby arrives. The secret to a successful partnership during the transition into parenthood is to openly “T-A-L-K.” It sounds simple, but making time to connect with your significant other is challenging with the demands of the recent changes. Start by talking about the (joys and) frustrations of the day, separate from your relationship, so that you each have a chance to share and release tension. Knowing that your partner understands and supports your experiences brings you closer and makes it feel like you’re “in it together.
Why you should get help From an Asheville mental health therapist?
Depression is a serious medical condition that impacts your entire body and mind. Your family needs you to take care of yourself and be healthy. Ask for help if you are worried about the way you are feeling so that you can begin taking the steps to feeling better today! You can start your therapy journey with Strive On Counseling by following these simple steps:
Meet with a caring therapist
Start coping with your depression symptoms!
Other Therapy Services Offered with Strive On Counseling
Our team is happy to offer a variety of support for your mental health needs. This is why we are happy to offer many forms of therapy. Our services include individual counseling, anxiety treatment, EMDR trauma therapy, therapy for men’s issues, mindfulness, Buddhist counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, teletherapy / online therapy. Some other resources we offer include guided meditations, supplements, a list of books and other useful resources, and online courses. If you would like more information about any of these services, please reach out today, and start doing therapy in North Carolina!
About the Author: Rosalie Zuniga, LICSW, LCSW, PMH-C
Rosalie is the owner of Postpartum Wellness, a holistic wellness center in Fairfax County, Virginia. The group practice provides premier classes, massage, newborn care, and counseling to pregnant and new mothers throughout the Washington, DC region. She can be reached at: info@postpartumwell.com.
