Treatment For Postpartum Depression? ?
Q: does anyone have any information about treatment for postpartum
depression?
A:My doctor and I have tried estrogen patches, which helped
the moods, but left me continually bleeding. We switched to birth
control pills and keep upping the level of estrogen in them, but around
the second week of my (pill-induced) cycle, I get hot flashes, crying,
anxiety attacks, breakthrough bleeding, and feeling low, worthless, and
non-functional.
My milk supply has decreased a bit due to the estrogen, which has me
giving my daughter more bottles of formula--not what I want. Now she
prefers a bottle much of the time since it's so much easier than bf,
which in turn doesn't help my milk supply.
Anyway, I'm having trouble finding information on the net about
treatments. There's a lot about symptoms (I'm already familiar with
those!), but treatment is rather vague. I'm also wondering if you're
more prone to this condition if you've undergone infertility treatments
with infertility drugs.
Women experience depression about twice as often as men.1 Many hormonal
factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in
women-particularly such factors as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy,
miscarriage, postpartum period, pre-menopause, and menopause. Many women
also face additional stresses such as responsibilities both at work and
home, single parenthood, and caring for children and for aging parents.
Many women are also particularly vulnerable after the birth of a baby. The
hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new
life, can be factors that lead to postpartum depression in some women. While
transient "blues" are common in new mothers, a full-blown depressive episode
is not a normal occurrence and requires active intervention. Treatment by a
sympathetic physician and the family's emotional support for the new mother
are prime considerations in aiding her to recover her physical and mental
well-being and her ability to care for and enjoy the infant.
Only in the past two decades has depression in children been taken very
seriously. The depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to
school, cling to a parent, or worry that the parent may die. Older children
may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, grouchy, and feel
misunderstood. Because normal behaviors vary from one childhood stage to
another, it can be difficult to tell whether a child is just going through a
temporary "phase" or is suffering from depression. Sometimes the parents
become worried about how the child's behavior has changed, or a teacher
mentions that "your child doesn't seem to be himself." In such a case, if a
visit to the child's pediatrician rules out physical symptoms, the doctor
will probably suggest that the child be evaluated, preferably by a
psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of children. If treatment is
needed, the doctor may suggest that another therapist, usually a social
worker or a psychologist, provide therapy while the psychiatrist will
oversee medication if it is needed. Parents should not be afraid to ask
questions: What are the therapist's qualifications? What kind of therapy
will the child have? Will the family as a whole participate