Postpartum Depression Treatment

When searching for a therapist for postpartum depression in New Jersey, New York, or Florida, you’ll find Dr. Zlatin Ivanov at Online Psychiatrists. This experienced doctor is especially astute in treating depression through telepsychiatry. His online sessions are proving to have quicker results than many in-person depression counseling treatments. Don’t suffer from debilitating symptoms that keep you mired in the doldrums. Call today to set up an initial consultation and learn how to effectively fight depression.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a common mental health problem that affects new mothers. About one in nine women need postpartum depression treatment to overcome the problem. Your health and the health of your baby are at jeopardy if you don’t start a postpartum therapy program right away.

Through Online Psychiatrists in New Jersey, New York, and Florida, talk therapy is available to manage your depression so you can provide appropriate care for your child. Remote video conferencing and telepsychiatry provide you direct access to a trained, compassionate doctor who specializes in a number of effective treatments for postpartum depression.

You may hide your pain because you’re ashamed of your thoughts and feelings. But feelings of sadness and despair are signs that something is wrong. You may very well be going through postpartum depression, which can be resolved once you start psychotherapy sessions.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

Your psychotherapist first explains that the condition is not your fault. Hormonal changes in your body are to be blamed for triggering your postpartum depression. Female hormones like estrogen and progesterone reach their peak during the pregnancy and quickly drop within 24 hours of giving birth. This sudden drop is what’s causing your depression.

Your thyroid gland may also be acting up, causing the thyroid hormones to misbehave. You also may be susceptible due to certain risk factors such as:

• A family history of depression or mental illness
• Pre-existing anxiety disorders or depression
• Being a first-time mother
• Getting pregnant at a young age
• Problems in the marriage
• The baby is premature or has medical complications
• The baby cries a lot or has irregular hunger and sleep cycles
• Financial or employment difficulties
• No support in caring for the newborn

What Are the Risks Associated with Postpartum Depression?

Many women think the feelings of sadness and emptiness are all in their heads and that they’ll go away eventually. In fact, the much less harmful condition called baby blues does go away in three or five days. But postpartum depression lingers on, making you feel even more hopeless and detached from your child.

Studies show that infants of postpartum depressive mothers suffer damaging consequences such as:

• Poor cognitive functioning
• Heightened stress levels
• Emotional maladjustment problems
• Lack of bonding when you don’t feel like breastfeeding or holding your baby
• Fear of abandonment when you aren’t consistent with care
• Additional damage when the father also suffers with male postpartum depression

How Is Postpartum Depression Treated?

Initially, your psychotherapist assesses the severity of your condition through a series of questions. You may require medical tests to find out the extent of your hormone imbalance. If your doctor determines you have underlying, ongoing mental health problems such as anxiety or an eating disorder, you may need medication, which your doctor prescribes and manages.

Psychotherapy, more commonly referred to as talk therapy, provides you with the platform to share your feelings and learn effective techniques to manage your condition until it passes. Common treatment modalities are geared toward your specific needs. The only goal is your health and ultimate well-being. Options include:

• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Individual therapy
• Integrative therapy
• Gestalt therapy
• Group therapy
• Interpersonal therapy

Please request an appointment today to speak with Dr. Zlatin Ivanov about the diagnosis or treatment of your postpartum depression. You can also speak with our staff directly by calling (646) 713-0000.