Image of postpartum depression

For new moms, giving birth feels like it should be a time that is full of JOY and HAPPINESS. But what happens if you experience THE OPPOSITE and it doesn’t GO AWAY?

Postpartum depression is a serious illness that affects many new mothers. You may find yourself feeling sad, hopeless, and full of anxiety. You also might have a change in appetite and sleep.

While those with a history of depression are at higher risk, it often affects women who have never suffered depression before. Causes may be due to family history, hormone changes that happen during your pregnancy, or feelings of being overwhelmed with the birth of your child and difficulty sleeping.

According to Dr. Matthew Grover, a psychiatrist at SBH Health System, this problem should not be ignored. “It’s different than the ‘baby blues,’ which is a sense of feeling overwhelmed, where you’re crying, sad and tired. But that usually goes away after a couple of weeks,” he says.

“Postpartum depression is persistent. And, because it can affect the wellbeing of your child moving forward, you need to get help.”

The good news is that pediatricians and obstetricians at SBH regularly screen for depression among new mothers. If you screen positive, you will be referred to a mental health specialist like Dr. Grover. Through psychotherapy, and sometimes the aid of medication, treatment often works successfully. “Patients tend to do better, and so do their children,” says Dr. Grover.

You do not need to suffer with postpartum depression. We are here to help. If you think that you may have postpartum depression, please call 718-960-3071.