Counseling Reduces Postpartum Depression
At-Home Therapy Helps New Mothers Cope with Depressive Symptoms
Apr 3, 2009
Postpartum depression (now referred to as Postpartum Mood Disorders) in some form plagues nearly 80% of mothers after giving birth. Signs and symptoms can range from milder mood swings that last for a few weeks, known as the "baby blues" to full-blown depression or anxiety. Some of the moderate to severe depression can take the form of anxiety or panic attacks or even obsessive-compulsive thoughts or behaviors. It is not unusual for symptoms to worsen as the postpartum period progresses.
Untreated, postpartum depression is also known to become more severe with each pregnancy. The good news is that treatment for postpartum depression is highly effective. As more and more mothers come forward to talk about postpartum depression, researchers are beginning to find more alternative forms of treatment that can help.
Treatment for Postpartum Mood Disorders
There are many forms of treatment that are effective in treating symptoms of postpartum depression. Some of those treatment options include anti-depressants, light therapy, alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbs and dietary changes such as increasing carbohydrate intake and adding omega-3 fish oil supplements.. There is new ground-breaking evidence that mothers who receive counseling in their homes during the postpartum period may find reduced symptoms of postpartum depression.
Counseling an Effective Treatment Option for Postpartum Depression
The British Medical Journal reports a new study on the effect of at-home therapy for mothers who have been diagnosed with postpartum depression. Over 4,000 new mothers were randomly assigned to a series of therapy sessions that included one hour of therapy per week for two months. A control group of mothers did not receive at-home counseling. Therapy began at eight weeks' postpartum.
One of the interesting facts about this particular study is that the type of at-home therapy that the mothers' received varied among the group. Some received therapy from health care workers. Others were offered therapy from professionals trained in counseling and still others received at-home therapy from helpers who provided traditional postpartum care.
However one basic finding was that the mothers who received the at-home therapy sessions were 40% less likely to have depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum compared to the group who did not receive counseling. What this study shows is that time, attention, good listening skills and letting the mother know that her needs are important seems to makes all the difference.
If you have suffered from any postpartum mood disorder, you are definitely not alone. Help is available so don't be afraid to reach out and find a care provider and treatment that work for you..
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