The Post-Postpartum Depression Blog

As always, I’m pleased to see major media paying more attention to postpartum depression. And this recent article on the Fox news website does indeed offer some interesting tips among their “10 ways to cope…”

I appreciated seeing that many of the coping strategies and interventions to heal depression are similar to those I discuss in Chapter 8 of my book, “Happy Endings, New Beginnings: Navigating Postpartum Disorders.” I particularly like the tip, “Trust Your Instincts,” as so many women doubt their own feelings about their health. I’ve heard from several patients that they “knew something was wrong,” but were talked out of this awareness by well-meaning friends or relatives. When I encounter this hesitancy, I tell new moms to trust their instincts. “If you think there’s something wrong, contact a mental health specialist in perinatal issues and get an evaluation appointment. It’s a good idea to not let depression advance, but to be proactive and get help sooner rather than later.”

Some of the actions to heal depression that I discuss in my book are general and applicable to anyone. Eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, restricting alcohol, cutting back on caffeine, and taking supplements are some positive practices that will invariably make a difference in mood. However, there are other approaches that might be quite useful to more specific problems, such as use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMD/R). This practice can be one of those valuable techniques for women who have experienced trauma or difficult birth experiences. For a fuller explanation of EMD/R, refer to page 120 of my book.

Other tips, such as surrounding yourself with inspiration, spiritual practices, sharing your experiences with others, and changing your thoughts to change your mood are particularly helpful for those who are stuck in negative thought patterns and ruminating. And developing skills, such as staying present-focused and practicing mindfulness as well as establishing a structured routine, work very well for anxious women.

The website article has a few more suggestions regarding crying to release hormones, breastfeeding if that’s your choice, getting enough sleep, prioritizing your time, getting support from a partner, and getting a massage that are also worth a look.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/07/07/10-ways-to-cope-with-postpartum-depression/

~ by ppdsus on July 18, 2013.

Posted in National women's initiatives, Paternal Postnatal Depression, postpartum depression
Tags: depression and anxiety disorders, infant bonding and benefits of touch, Inspirational stories & positive changes, National women's initiatives, new parents adjustment, Paternal Postnatal Depression, perinatal disorders, postpartum depression, Spirituality, women's mental health, you gotta have friends