Postpartum Depression Therapy, Treatment & Help in Toronto
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of postpartum depression, you don’t need to manage it alone. Browse our directory to find a therapist who meets your needs and reach out to get psychological help.
What is Postpartum Depression?
After giving birth, most people go through the “baby blues”; a day or two of emotional upset as hormones re-regulate. Many parents also struggle with adjusting to a newborn in the household. The lack of sleep can be particularly difficult.
Some people feel like they have no right to be sad with a new baby, which can make things even worse. Postpartum depression is a mental health issue, and those struggling with it may find that postpartum depression counselling helps them return to better health.
Postpartum depression occurs specifically after birth. While hormonal changes can be part of the cause of the depression, it does not pass quickly like the “baby blues”. When untreated, postpartum depression can continue for years.
Coping with Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression treatment can be multi-faceted. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and your situation, a number of different courses of treatment can be recommended by one of our therapists. Seeing a therapist who is experienced in dealing with post partum depression can help you find the right path towards better mental health.
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
We don’t know exactly what causes postpartum depression, but it’s likely that all these aspects play a role:
- Physical changes after birth
- Lack of sleep
- Life changes with a new child
- Changes in partner relationships
- Deep-rooted emotional issues
Postpartum Depression After Miscarriage
Women who suffer a miscarriage can experience sadness, hopelessness and grief. It’s not easy to recover psychologically after such distress, although physical recovery can go quite smoothly. Even if a miscarriage happens early in pregnancy, it can still be devastating. In fact, almost all women have difficulty dealing with a miscarriage, especially if the pregnancy was long-awaited.
When you’ve experienced a miscarriage, depression can be even more complex. Depending on the length of the pregnancy prior to the miscarriage, some women may have the same hormone drops as those who were at full-term. No matter how long you were pregnant, if you are experiencing ongoing symptoms of depression, seeing a therapist can be beneficial.
Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression symptoms are often similar to those experienced by those with chronic depression. These include:
- Mood swings
- Trouble bonding with your baby (feeling distant or removed from them)
- Withdrawing from loved ones
- Little appetite or eating too much
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or fear that you’re not a good mother.
What makes postpartum depression symptoms after pregnancy so difficult to detect is that many new parents experience these emotions, but then see them pass relatively quickly. If you feel like this for more than a few weeks, it’s important to seek treatment from a therapist trained in postpartum depression counselling.
Consequences of Postpartum Depression
Please consider reaching out for help because you may find that lingering depressive symptoms, if left untreated may:
- Develop into an ongoing chronic depressive disorder
- Lead to serious marital or relationship problems
- Interfere with bonding between you and your child
- Cause you to harm yourself or your baby
