Plenty of women suffer from postpartum depression. But many of them struggle in silence and view their symptoms as a shameful secret. Although postpartum depression is fairly common and does not reflect on a woman’s parenting abilities, women who deal with this condition often hesitate to seek help.
Furthermore, even women who pursue talk therapy for postpartum depression may be reluctant to consider other forms of treatment, such as anti-depressants like Zoloft.
It is normal for women to have some concerns about taking medication to treat postpartum depression, especially if they are nursing. But medication is a safe and effective treatment that often brings long-lasting relief on a faster timeline.
If you’re conflicted over whether you should try medication for postpartum depression, it’s important to remember that your mental health is important for both you and your baby.
Here are a few benefits of medication for postpartum depression recovery.
Faster Relief
Talk therapy can be highly beneficial for mothers who are dealing with postpartum depression. But sometimes, it can take a while before you’re able to act on everything you’ve learned in talk therapy. In the fog of postpartum depression, it can be difficult to even focus during sessions sometimes.
Taking medication can help you gain a sense of stability in a shorter period of time. It can enable you to fully experience the benefits of other types of treatment, like talk therapy.
Focus on Coping Skills
Perhaps you have tried to make some lifestyle changes in order to support your mental health. Maybe you’ve been working on adopting new strategies for dealing with low moods. Yet no matter how hard you try, you never have the energy to implement these techniques in your daily life.
With medication, you might find that your energy levels improve. This allows you to take other helpful steps to change your lifestyle. Basically, medication can make it possible for you to work on other important coping skills that will serve you well in the long run.
Bonding With Your Baby
During the first year of your baby’s life, it’s especially important to spend plenty of time bonding. Postpartum depression can make bonding challenging.
Even if you feel a deep, enduring love for your child, you might feel like your depression is preventing you from fully enjoying the early days of your life. Medication that works to boost your mood can help you embrace bonding with your baby.
Improved Quality of Life
Overall, medication can help you feel more grounded and center and give you the energy you need to improve your quality of life. While it can take some time to find the right medication and dosage, the effort is often worth it.
Medication can be especially effective when combined with talk therapy. While adjusting to motherhood always brings challenges, you deserve to feel joy in this experience, too. You do not have to suffer through postpartum depression, especially alone.
The Benefits Outweigh the Risks
Even women who are interested in medication for postpartum depression may be nervous about the effect it could potentially have on their baby if they are nursing.
Thankfully, studies show that babies whose mothers take mental health medication do not suffer any ill effects. However, if you are nursing, it is important to talk to all of your healthcare providers about your decision to take medication. They will want to be aware of this when they treat you in the future.
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Are you struggling with postpartum depression? Working with a therapist can help you heal. Contact me today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.