Vim & Vigor - Fall 2021 - 27

27
Seek Help-
Do Not
Hesitate
Every mom dealing with
postpartum depression
(PPD) needs to know
that she is not to blame
and needs to seek out
treatment. A new mother
may feel hesitant to
admit she has PPD, and
a partner hesitant to
point out that there
might be an issue. But
avoiding talking to
a doctor and getting
treated will only make
the situation worse.
" Some moms may see
on most days and low energy. She also may
have trouble concentrating or making decisions,
feel bad about herself, feel guilty, feel
worthless. She may have trouble motivating
herself to do things or isn't enjoying activities
she used to. It also can aff ect her appetite and
sleep. And when depression becomes more
severe, women can oſt en have thoughts about
death or wanting to die.
Anxiety is closely linked with depression in
perinatal individuals and is oſt en marked by
excessive worry.
When should a woman
talk to her doctor about
postpartum depression?
Byatt: Well, ideally, her doctor should be
talking to her about it. We don't expect
patients to come in and say, " I think I have
diabetes. Can you please help me? " But sometimes
with depression, that's what the medical
community expects. And that's a problem.
Providers should be screening for
depression during obstetric care and at
well-child visits. Th at is consistent with the
PPD as a shortcoming in
their mothering. You're
supposed to be really
happy, and you're not.
We need to make new
mothers feel OK with
however they feel and
about asking for help, "
says Diane Sampson,
a UVA Health prenatal
educator. She makes
sure every mom who
delivers at UVA knows
about Postpartum
Support Virginia, a comprehensive
resource for
families where they
can fi nd help in
their communities.
recommendations of the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the
American Academy of Pediatrics. Th at said,
if a woman is experiencing symptoms, she
should talk to her provider.
depression treated?
Byatt: Th e mainstays of treatment are
psychotherapy, or talk therapy, and medication,
if symptom severity justifi es it.
Th ere are two types of psychotherapy that
have a strong evidence base: interpersonal
psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral
therapy. Interpersonal psychotherapy tends
to focus on interpersonal relationships and
using those relationships as a way to learn
about yourself; cognitive behavioral therapy
focuses on changing your thoughts to
feel better.
How is postpartum
Some women are concerned
their babies will be taken
away if they admit to having
depression. Is that the case?
Byatt: I appreciate you asking that, because
it's an extremely common concern. And
it's unfortunate, because women can have
depression, and it does not say anything
about their ability to parent. So no, telling
someone you're depressed does not mean
they're going to take away your baby. On the
contrary, getting the help that you need can
only help you be the mom or the parent that
you want to be.
Are there other mental health
issues to be aware of?
OUR EXPERT
Nancy Byatt, DO,
psychiatrist and
founder of the
Massachusetts Child
Psychiatry Access
Program for Moms
Byatt: Postpartum psychosis is much less
common. It occurs generally in 1 to 2 in
1,000 women. And when we see postpartum
psychosis, it's typically among people with
bipolar disorder. We see psychotic symptoms,
which can manifest in various ways.
Sometimes people can have hallucinations.
Th ey may hear voices that other people aren't
hearing. In a few cases, they may experience
delusions in which they think they need to
hurt the baby or themselves. Th ese are psychiatric
emergencies-but again, they are rare.
(Anyone experiencing postpartum psychosis
or compulsions to harm herself or her baby
should seek emergency care.) *
VIM & VIGOR FALL 2021
ILLUSTRATION BY MONICA HELLSTRÖM
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2021

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