7 months ago
BRUNSWICK, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Postpartum depression affects approximately one in eight women, but psychiatrists believe most women don't seek out the treatment they need. As a result, the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians is using a grant from the American Psychiatric Association to educate both health care providers and women about the signs of postpartum depression and how it can be treated.
Many women experience the so-called "baby blues" and the symptoms are similar to those of postpartum depression. Women can feel sad, anxious, have trouble concentrating or sleeping and feel more emotional. However, when those issues do not resolve themselves within one to two weeks, a woman may be suffering from postpartum depression.
Women with postpartum depression also often eat too much or too little, feel hopeless or helpless, withdraw from friends and family, lack motivation or energy to do anything, feel inadequate or guilty and lose pleasure in things they enjoy. Often times women also scare themselves with thoughts about harming the baby, even though they know they would never hurt their child.
Women with a history of depression or become depressed while pregnant have a higher risk of postpartum depression. However, postpartum depression can occur in women who have never experienced depression before.
Members of the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians have started visiting hospitals to educate workers about how to recognize signs of postpartum depression in their patients. They also are putting together packets of information that include diagnostic screening tests for postpartum depression and resources to help women get the treatment they need. The most common forms of treatment for postpartum depression are talk therapy, and in some cases, medication.
You can learn more about the Postpartum Depression Project here. You can also talk with P. Lynn Ouellette at 207-721-0800 or email her at: plopsymd@myfairpoint.net. You can also contact Julie Pease at 207-373-3099 or email her at: jpease@sweetser.org.
The Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline is 1-888-568-1112.
Other helpful links:
Postpartum Support International
NIMH postpartum depression website
MGH website for women's mental health
Online postpartum depression support group
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