Pregnancy renders us vulnerable to behavioral and hormonal changes that affect an individual's mood during the various stages of their reproductive cycles: menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.
Postpartum depression onset can occur after birth or up to 18 months after delivery. For some, these feelings start during pregnancy or at birth. For others, the feelings start weeks or even months later.
Panic, guilt, irrational thoughts, anxiety, shame, and fear are often the many emotions women with postpartum depression feel. Adding to the confusion, these symptoms often wax and wane. Often friends, family, and partners are the first to notice these changes. But hope exists.
Partnering with a competent therapist while working collaboratively with a skilled Psychiatrist or your OBGYN/Physician are two of the most important first steps toward supporting you or your partner getting the support you need. If you or someone you care about has been struggling with the above symptoms for more than 2 weeks, call for help. I have worked with many people struggling with this unique presentation of depression. Timely intervention is essential to successful outcomes.
I partner with an OB-GYN and Psychiatrists in Evanston to provide comprehensive and collaborative treatment interventions for anyone struggling with the darkness of postpartum depression.
My commitment to you: you will be treated with respect, care, and compassion. I utilize a relational approach to partner with anyone struggling with postpartum features and move toward recovery. Contact me for a phone consultation.