Postpartum Depression Medication Overview
Many mothers experience symptoms of postpartum depression after giving birth. The good news is that medicines can reduce the severity of the symptoms and provide relief. Five medications that are effective in treating postpartum depression will be discussed in this article. We’ll talk about how they help women improve, what risks they pose, and what makes them so effective.
What is postpartum depression (PPD)?
It’s not uncommon for new parents to undergo mood swings after welcoming their little one into the world. However, these emotions typically subside within a few days. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a more persistent and sometimes intense experience affecting your daily routine and ability to care for yourself and your newborn.
PPD is characterized by feelings of emptiness, sadness, or hopelessness that persist for at least two weeks. Some other prevalent symptoms include:
- Irritability.
- Frequent crying.
- Difficulty bonding with your newborn.
- Anxiety, particularly regarding your capacity to look after your baby.
- Struggling with mental clarity or “brain fog.”
- Feeling detached from loved ones.
- Thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby.
- Changes in energy levels and appetite.
These symptoms can vary in intensity and typically emerge one to three weeks after giving birth, although they can appear anytime within the first year. Additionally, some individuals may experience postpartum anxiety disorders, such as postpartum panic disorder or generalized anxiety, during this period.
What Causes PPD?
Postpartum depression (PPD) isn’t fully understood, but it’s likely a result of several different things. Some possible causes and factors that could lead to PPD are:
- Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormone levels, especially a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone after childbirth, can change how the brain works and lead to PPD.
- Emotional and physical stress: The physical and emotional demands of childbirth, lack of sleep, and lifestyle changes can increase stress and make PPD more likely.
- History of Depression, Anxiety, or Other Mental Health Problems: Women with depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems are more likely to get PPD.
- Personal and family history: Some personal factors, such as a lack of social support, stressful life events, or a family history of depression or mood disorders, can increase the risk of PPD.
- Biological and genetic factors: PPD tends to run in families, so genes may cause it. Also, a person’s brain chemistry and how it works may differ from another person’s.
- Personal beliefs, low self-esteem, perfectionism, and negative thought patterns are all psychological factors that can lead to PPD.
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5 Postpartum Depression Medication
Choosing medication requires discussing options with a medical expert and considering your needs and risks. To effectively treat postpartum depression, combining medication with therapy, social support, and self-care is important. Nonetheless, here are the 5 best medications for postpartum depression:
1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are often given to women who are depressed after giving birth. Examples include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and escitalopram (Lexapro). They work by making the brain make more serotonin, which helps improve mood and reduce depression symptoms.
2. Inhibitors of Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake (SNRIs)
SNRIs, like venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), are other antidepressants to treat postpartum depression. They work by making the brain make more serotonin and norepinephrine, which can make you feel better and ease the symptoms of depression.
3. Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines like lorazepam (Ativan) or clonazepam (Klonopin) may be prescribed to relieve severe anxiety or insomnia caused by postpartum depression temporarily. These medicines work as sedatives and can help you feel sleepy and calm.
4. Atypical antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotics, like aripiprazole (Abilify) or quetiapine (Seroquel), may be used when postpartum depression is accompanied by psychotic symptoms or severe agitation. These drugs help control mood and can make symptoms like hallucinations or delusions less severe.
5. Hormone Therapy
Women with postpartum depression who have hormonal imbalances may want to consider hormone therapy, especially estrogen replacement therapy. When given by a doctor, estrogen can help restore the balance of hormones and ease the symptoms of depression.
Postpartum Depression Fact Sheet
Postpartum Depression Overview
“Postpartum” means the time after childbirth. Most women get the “baby blues” or feel sad or empty within a few days of giving birth. For many women, the baby blues go away in 3 to 5 days. If your baby blues don’t go away or you feel sad, hopeless, or empty for longer than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression. Feeling hopeless or empty after childbirth is not a regular or expected part of being a mother.
Postpartum Depression Meaning
Postpartum depression is a serious mental illness that involves the brain and affects your behavior and physical health. If you have depression, sad, flat, or empty feelings, don’t go away and can interfere with your daily life. You might feel unconnected to your baby as if you are not the baby’s mother, or you might not love or care for the baby. These feelings can be mild to severe.
Epidemiology of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression most commonly occurs within 6 weeks after childbirth. PPD occurs in about 6.5% to 20% of women. It occurs more commonly in adolescent females, mothers who deliver premature infants, and women living in urban areas. African American and Hispanic mothers reported symptoms within 2 weeks of delivery, unlike white mothers, who reported the onset of symptoms later, as one study reports.
Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression
Psychological: History of depression and anxiety, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Negative attitude towards the baby, the reluctance of baby’s gender, and history of sexual abuse are perpetual factors for developing postpartum depression.
Obstetric risk factors: Risky pregnancy, which includes emergency cesarean section and hospitalizations during pregnancy. Meconium passage, umbilical cord prolapse, preterm or low birth infant, and low hemoglobin are associated with PPD.
Social factors: Lack of social support can cause postpartum depression. Domestic violence in the form of spousal sexual, physical, and verbal abuse can also be a causative factor in developing the disease. Smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor for developing PPD.
Lifestyle: Eating habits, sleep cycle, physical activities, and exercise may affect postpartum depression. Vitamin B6 has known to be involved in postpartum depression via its conversion to tryptophan and, later on, serotonin, which, in turn, affects mood. The sleep cycle is among the factors influencing the risk of depression. Decreased sleep is associated with postpartum depression. Physical activity and exercise decrease depressive symptoms.PPD.
Although less studied than depression, research on anxiety attacks during pregnancy’s effects on babies suggests that anxiety may negatively affect both the mother and the fetus. Anxiety increases the risk for preterm birth, low birth weight, earlier gestational age, and a smaller head circumference (related to brain size).
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Postpartum Depression Statistics
Depression is a common and serious illness. A CDC study shows that about 1 in 10 women in the United States reported symptoms that suggest they experienced an episode of major depression in the last year. While exact postpartum depression rates are unknown, there are some generally agreed-upon figures about the number of women who experience postpartum depression annually.
1 in 10 Women
Approximately 1 in 10 women will experience postpartum depression after giving birth, with some studies reporting 1 in 7 women.
Source: National Institute on Mental Health
3-6 Months
Postpartum depression generally lasts 3 to 6 months. However, this varies based on several factors.
Source: National Institute on Mental Health
50%
It is estimated that nearly 50% of mothers with postpartum depression are not diagnosed by a health professional.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health
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How long does Postpartum Depression usually last?
Individuals may experience postpartum depression at different times. Postpartum depression is characterized by symptoms that manifest within weeks after giving birth. Symptoms can range in both intensity and duration. With help and treatment, some women experience a full recovery from postpartum depression within a few months. However, it can last much longer for some people, anywhere from a few months to a year or more. For a more in-depth explanation, check out this article: How Long Does Postpartum Depression Last? Postpartum Depression Timeline.
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Postpartum Depression Therapies
Postpartum depression (PPD) can be treated with different approaches. Supportive and coping therapies for PPD aim to address the disorder’s emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects.
Is talk therapy effective in treating postpartum depression?
Talk therapy or psychotherapy, is a good way to treat postpartum depression (PPD). Psychotherapy is meant to help people with PPD deal with and control their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Several types of talk therapy have been shown to help people with PPD (Postpartum depression treatments):
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aims to find negative thought patterns and beliefs contributing to PPD and then challenge them. It helps people develop healthier ways of thinking, dealing with stress, and solving problems. CBT can also help avoid people or stay away from them, which can worsen PPD symptoms.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): IPT helps people improve their relationships with others and their ability to talk to them. It talks about relationship problems, changes in life, and new roles that can lead to PPD. IPT helps people build support networks and improve their ability to get along with others.
- Supportive therapy allows people with PPD to talk about their feelings, worries, and experiences in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. It gives people emotional support, validation, and guidance, which helps them learn how to deal with problems and boosts their self-esteem.
- Group therapy is when you go to therapy sessions with others who have PPD and are going through similar problems. It gives people a chance to talk about their own experiences, get help from their peers, and learn from each other. Group therapy can help people feel less alone and like they belong to a group.
Postpartum Depression Treatments
A woman’s propensity to resort to postpartum depression self-care may be increased. Anxiety symptoms are also common among women. Almost two-thirds of women with postpartum depression also have an anxiety disorder, according to one study. In severe cases of postpartum depression, treatment may be required.
In postpartum depression with co-occurring multiple disorders, more experienced specialists are needed to diagnose and treat all underlying conditions. Women who become depressed after giving birth may be reluctant to seek help. This is due to the stigma attached to postpartum depression, which prevents many women from seeking help. Fortunately, attitudes are shifting as more people learn about and become familiar with this issue.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration) reports that up to 15% of depressed new mothers binge drink within a year of giving birth. Postpartum-depressed mothers who turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism significantly raise their children’s risk of alcohol poisoning. Thus, studies have shown that a baby’s growth can be stunted if alcohol is passed from mother to child during breastfeeding.
We Level Up’s mental health center employs licensed counselors and postpartum depression therapists competent in treating postpartum depression. You can rely on us to provide the support you need to care for yourself and your baby. Get in touch with the helplines in your area to find out more about postpartum depression treatment options.
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5 Popular PostPartum Depression FAQs
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When does postpartum depression start?
Postpartum depression (PPD) usually starts within weeks of giving birth but can occur at any time during the first year. Person-to-person onset varies. PPD symptoms can appear days or weeks after delivery.
-
How common is postpartum depression?
Many women experience postpartum depression. Postpartum depression affects 10%–20% of new mothers. Cultural, social, and individual differences affect prevalence rates.
-
Why does postpartum depression happen?
Postpartum depression is a complex condition whose exact causes are not fully understood. However, it is believed to result from physical, emotional, and hormonal factors during and after childbirth.
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Can men have postpartum depression?
Paternal postpartum depression, also known as male postpartum depression, is a condition in which fathers experience depression after the birth of a child. It’s a common misconception that only mothers experience postpartum depression, but fathers can experience it too.
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How to prevent postpartum depression?
The risk of postpartum depression can be reduced, and better mental health can be promoted, but it is not possible to prevent postpartum depression altogether. Physical health, self-care, communication of feelings, and consideration of postpartum support groups can all contribute to a healthier postpartum experience, as can building a strong support system, seeking prenatal care, learning about postpartum depression, planning for postpartum support, and taking care of one’s physical health.
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Postpartum Depression Medication | Coping with Depression Informative Video
Coping with depression can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to help manage your symptoms. Exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep can help improve your mood. Talking to a therapist can also be beneficial as they can provide additional resources and help you process your thoughts and feelings. Lastly, knowing what triggers your depressive episodes can help you better prepare for them.
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Get the help you deserve.
Start a New Life
Begin with a free call to a behavioral health treatment advisor. Learn more about our dual-diagnosis programs. The We Level Up treatment center network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. Call to learn more.
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Search We Level Up WA Mental Health 5 Postpartum Depression Medication That Works, Diagnosis and Treatment Topics & Resources
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