Are You Stuck in a Cycle of Worry, Shame and Fear?
Have you recently had a baby and feel like you’re doing everything wrong? Are you suffering in silence, feeling like nobody understands what you’re going through? Do you find yourself hiding away from the world for fear that other people will notice your unhappiness, stress and anxiety? Maybe you’re constantly exhausted, unable to cope with being woken throughout the night for months on end. Perhaps every day is a battle, yet you think that being a new mother shouldn’t be so hard. Maybe your friends love motherhood and you feel you have nobody to talk through your struggles with. Do you find it difficult to control stressful and sometimes illogical thoughts? Are you constantly worried that something awful will happen to your baby? It might be that every day is a rollercoaster of emotions, from the highest highs to crushing lows. Deep down, do you secretly fear that you’re just not good enough?
Having a baby can turn your world upside down. It can be a joyous event, but also a stressful one. Friends, doctors and baby books can only prepare you so much for your new arrival, and a lot of new mothers find themselves coping with unexpected feelings of doubt, worry and sadness. Maybe you’ve wanted a baby for a long time and now that he or she is here, you feel guilty for being overwhelmed. Or perhaps your first baby was a breeze, and things are so much more difficult with this one. You might have a lot of support and a perfect baby, but you just feel so sad and tired all the time. And, you may not even know why you feel so down and feel guilty and confused about why you’re not enjoying what is supposed to be a treasured and special life event.
Nobody Wants To Talk About Postpartum Depression
Statistically, between 10 and 15 percent of women suffer from postpartum depression. That means in a room of 10 new mothers, one to two will experience often debilitating symptoms, making it much more common than many of us think. And yet, postpartum depression is often a taboo subject. Motherhood is traditionally thought of as being a time of intense joy, and many new mothers are unwilling to admit that this joy is often accompanied by intense feelings of anxiety, distress and relentless exhaustion. Women who express these experiences often feel ostracized or like nobody can relate to their experience, even though statistics show us that this just isn’t true.
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Whether or not they admit it, countless women experience postpartum depression every day. Symptoms of postpartum depression include prolonged, intense worry and exhaustion; irrational, racing thoughts; an inability to communicate; feeling disconnected from baby; feeling numb or detached from the world; and feeling suicidal or overwhelmed by daily life. Regardless of how you are experiencing postpartum depression, the good news is that there is help. A compassionate postpartum therapist can help you learn to cope with distressful symptoms and return to a happier, more confident version of yourself.
Postpartum Therapy Can Provide You With Support, Guidance And Relief
Regardless of the severity of your postpartum depression or anxiety, an experienced psychologist can help you learn to identify triggers and better understand and manage your postpartum experience. With the help of a professional therapist in a confidential, comfortable setting, you can break out of the cycle of stressful thoughts, exhaustion and persistent fears. You can learn to recognize and work through irrational or unhelpful thoughts so that they no longer control how you feel.
The first step to overcoming postpartum depression is to face it head on. While talking about your experience with depression can be daunting, postpartum counseling provides you with the space to speak honestly and openly without fear of judgment. You don’t have to worry about social niceties in the compassionate and safe space of the sessions. This is your time to unburden your worries so that we can get to the root of your symptoms. By doing so, you can learn effective tools and skills that can help you move through the unsettling feelings of depression and regain control of your life.
As a postpartum therapist, above all I want you to feel comfortable speaking openly to me about your experience. A huge part of therapy is feeling connected and comfortable with your therapist. In our sessions, I will hold space for you as you share your deepest fears, and I can help you reframe your viewpoint. We’ll work collaboratively and compassionately as you learn to recognize and reframe ineffective thought cycles and begin to dismantle debilitating patterns of behavior. Once we understand your specific emotional triggers, we can develop effective strategies to break through blocks and help you meet your therapy and family goals. Maybe you’re a working mom and you need help figuring out a work-life balance now that there’s a baby in the mix. Maybe you’re struggling to see light at the end of the tunnel of endless feeds and dirty diapers. Whatever the issue, I can help you create and take actionable steps so life feels manageable again. With me, you’ll be working with a postpartum therapist who is authentic, accessible and sympathetic to your experience. I have seen therapy transform the lives of all kinds of mothers, and I believe that, together, we can help you get your life back on track, too.
You still may have questions or concerns about postpartum depression and anxiety…
I’m afraid there is something really wrong with me.
Millions of new mothers suffer from depression and other postpartum disorders. While mental illnesses are more difficult to see than physical ones, they are much more common than many people realize. Just because you are suffering from postpartum depression doesn’t mean there is something “wrong” with you. By working with a postpartum therapist, you can learn to manage your worries, fatigue and stress so that they no longer interfere with your life. You can learn to recognize situational cues and curb symptoms at the onset before they spiral out of control. The first step to overcoming the symptoms of postpartum depression is letting go of the stigma that is often attached to this very common disorder. Everybody gets stuck in some way every now and then, and it’s a sign of strength to recognize when you’re in need of help.
I’ve heard that therapy can be expensive.
I understand that therapy can be costly and sometimes difficult to justify, especially as you’re growing your family. That said, for many people, postpartum therapy is a financial investment that has a significantly positive impact on their lives. It’s up to everybody to do what they feel comfortable with. For some people, this may mean seeking therapy through their insurance provider. In my experience, this is generally a more difficult path with fewer options in terms of choosing your therapist. For a variety of reasons, I don’t accept insurance. However, I am always happy to answer finance-related questions. Many people I’ve worked with advocate therapy as being the one thing that really impacted how they were feeling in a positive way. For them, every cent was well spent, dramatically improving their quality of life as they transitioned into motherhood.
My problems aren’t big enough for therapy.
It may be that you think your symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety are relatively minor. Maybe you’re just trying to find balance in your new life as a mother or with a new addition to your family. When things are off kilter, however, an impartial, non-judgmental third ear can help you gain a better perspective. Nothing is too trivial to talk about. You may believe that other people are suffering more than you and this may even be true. However, you are your own person, and it’s important for you to be able to live the life you want and deserve. Therapy is for everyone, no matter how big or small your problems may seem.
I’m afraid I won’t ever be a successful working mom.
For many women, having a baby can make you feel like you’re being split down the middle. On the one hand, you have your life at home, and this life is suddenly urgent and essential. Your baby needs you, and this realization might be wonderful or terrifying, or both! Maybe you know that your life isn’t solely to be your baby’s caretaker. For many reasons, you need or want to return to work. But perhaps doing so fills you with guilt, or maybe a longing to be at home when you’re at work and at work when you’re home. This can be an extremely confusing and distressing experience for mothers looking to find a healthy work-life balance. Speaking to a therapist can help relieve some of these stressful emotions and provide you with an impartial, professional opinion on potential strategies for you, your job and your baby. Furthermore, for working mothers who are often short on time, I offer a telemedicine service, allowing you to speak with me from a location that works for you and your schedule, wherever you may be. It may feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day, but postpartum counseling can help you learn to successfully manage your time and energy, finding a happy balance between work and home life.
You Can Be A Confident, Relaxed, Happy Mother
If you’re ready to begin living a more balanced, less stressful life, I can help. Call 408-827-8011 or request an appointment today to set a free 10 minute consultation appointment at my Saratoga practice or to set up your first 50 appointment. In your free 10-minute consultation, I can answer any questions you may have and set up an initial meeting where you’ll be able to relax in a comfortable environment and better understand the benefits of working with an postpartum therapist.
Motherhood can be a daunting, overwhelming experience. Postpartum treatment can help you overcome the stressful and limiting symptoms you experience, moving you toward a more balanced life, one step at a time.