7. What type of treatment(s) did you seek for postpartum depression?
I saw a therapist but it didn’t help much. I read some books to try to “fix” myself. But eventually I started taking anti-depressants. I started taking Venlafaxine (Effexor) but didn’t like the side effects. It made me feel dizzy and caused me to sweat profusely. So I switched to Escitalopram (Lexapro) and it’s been much better. – Vanessa
I didn’t seek medical care, I thought I was “strong enough” to overcome it on my own. When the PPD came back like a blazing fire in a parched forest after my second baby I also thought it would go away on its own. But it didn’t. I did go to a doctor for it and got a prescription but after thorough research I just couldn’t get myself to take the medication. – Anonymous
I had CBT. My therapist has been incredible. It’s been a long road and I’m still in the service 12 months after accessing it for the first time. But it has helped so much. I can sit in that room and say all the crazy frightening horrible stuff in my head and she calmly accepts it and helps me understand why it’s happening. – Alexandra
When I first realized I needed help I went to my midwife and family doctor. I started medication but it didn’t help. I then attempted suicide and was sent to the hospital for an overdose on a prescription my doctor gave me. I stayed in a behavioral health unit that didn’t help one bit. I didn’t want help at the time I was angry and mad that I lived. I hated that my spouse was there but wasn’t there when I needed him. I hated everything and everyone. I felt that my children were better off without me because that’s what I was told. The second time I went to my family doctor and broke down I told him nothing is getting better I feel the same I don’t want to live I then went to a facility just for mental heath that was amazing! I stayed for a week and got to attend therapy 12 times a day with different types of groups. I was eating healthy, taking the right medication and improving my mood. This stay is what helped me, this saved me! And I’m so thankful because now I know I want to be alive I want to be there for my children. I don’t have those awful symptoms. – Amber
I haven’t sought treatment yet because I am afraid to. – Anonymous
Psychiatrist with very short term use of Zoloft. One hypnotherapy session. Exercise. Forcing myself to get out of the house even if it made me uncomfortable. – Nicole
Therapy, medication. – Anonymous
I called 911 on myself and spent 9 days in psych in the hospital. Only after months of doctors shoving SSRI’s down my throat despite me telling them they were making everything dangerously worse. I had to be put on antipsychotics. – Brittany
I called my family doctor and got put on antidepressants. – Jodi
Therapy and medication. – Anonymous
Therapy and meds. – Ashley G.
Psychiatrist. – Anonymous
Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication – Amanda
Therapy and medicine and self care. – Anonymous
I went to my OBGYN for medicine, I was on that for about 6 months. I started therapy, yoga, working out, getting a babysitter (I’m a stay at home mom). – Katy
Started with speaking to my OBGYN. Found a psychiatrist and therapist. Medication and self care. And whatever help you can get with the baby. – Samantha
I went to my psychologist and because I was breastfeeding I didn’t wanted to be admitted so I went every day for clinical treatments. I was on treatment for a few weeks. – Anonymous
I attempted medication however it made it worse. I started therapy. – Melissa
Medication, alternative remedies, exercise. – Marcella
Therapy, meditation, self care. – Anonymous
None. – Emily
I started with Zoloft but then I started taking better care of my self and joined a support group with other ladies. – Lorena from Motherhood Unfiltered
I talked to a nurse practitioner at my OBGYN office and discussed medication options and I went with Zoloft. – Chelsea
I asked my doctor for medication. I really didn’t have faith in a therapist, or the time, and I really just wanted a “quick fix.” Within a few days I started feeling a difference, even my husband noticed. I had more energy, I smiled more, just everything seemed brighter. – Kathryn
Weekly psychiatrist, bi-weekly with OBGYN appointments and medications. – Anonymous
I went to my doctor and started meds with wanting to try therapy later to help cope with it. – Krista
Received Zoloft from OBGYN. – Karen from Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health of Lancaster County
After visiting with my doctor, I started on Sertraline (an anxiety medication) as at the time, my anxiety is what was most present. After about a month of Sertraline, they added Buproprion (depression med) to my treatment, as once my anxiety settled down, I found myself constantly sleeping and crying. I had many people suggest counseling, but I honestly didn’t see how it would help me. I have seen counselors numerous times in the past and believe strongly in the power of counseling, but all of those times I had a definitive problem that I needed to talk through. I didn’t see how I could “talk through” an issue being caused by hormonal chemical imbalance. – Leah Elizabeth from Lottie & Me
Medication and I started writing in a journal about how I felt if I didn’t want to talk about it. – Jessica
None. – Theresa
I did not use medication because, honestly, it just didn’t feel like the right path for me. Unfortunately no one could suggest and alternative, so I tried A LOT of remedies. Ultimately, hypnotherapy and a weighted blanket were my saviors. CBD oil was also very helpful for managing the unexpected spikes in anxiety and rage. Establishing a clean diet and regular exercise routine were life giving, even if I just ran up and down the basement stairs a few times at the end of the day or during nap time. I still struggle, but I’m building my collection of tools. – Amanda from Mom Like Me
I asked a friend who went through it for natural remedies. She told me Raspberry pills B-100 and Fish Oil. – Anonymous
Therapist and a doctor who had put me on medication I’m currently taking. – Jacqueline from Planning in the Deep
Antidepressant medication.– Haylie
Honestly, during that time I thought they would give me medication of some sort and my thought process was me taking a pill isn’t going to get me more sleep, less of my baby crying or my husband to help more so I just never mentioned it to my doctor & dealt with it. – Crystal from Heart and Home Doula
Group support, individual counseling and medication. – Anonymous
Medication. – Anonymous
Looked into therapy but still waiting. Doing meditation, and getting healthier through eating better. – Anonymous
Pharmaceuticals and talk therapy. – Anonymous
None. I couldn’t call, I couldn’t make an appointment with a therapist. I wanted to desperately, but I couldn’t. – Eda
Being OK with asking my dad and kids for help. I treat myself with better self care. – Anonymous
I finally checked into a hospital after driving my car into a telephone pole, where I was kept for three days and monitored while I tried new medication. I saw a therapist once a week for a year and a psychiatrist who worked at a newly opened mental health clinic in my area. – Kathleen
Medication, Sertraline and counseling. – Stephanie
I went to healing retreats for myself, not realizing what I was “treating” but knowing I needed space to find myself again. I went away for 10 days on a wilderness quest when my son was 18 months old. It was so important for me to have time to reconnect to myself and let go of old parts of myself. I was so lucky to have my husband and mom to take care of my son while I went away. -Yonat from Embodied Therapy Santa Rosa
I reached out to my OB and she prescribed me meds but said exercise does the same thing. It was cold at the time and it was too hard with a newborn and 2 other children in school. – Beth
Anti-depressants are not the only treatment option.
It’s a common misconception that prescription medications are the only treatment for postpartum depression. Many mothers don’t seek treatment at all because they don’t feel comfortable being “drugged up” during this sensitive stage of life. Various forms of therapy including talk therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, art therapy, aromatherapy, group therapy and so much more can all offer relief from symptoms. Natural treatment options can work as well, including changes to diet and exercise, vitamins and supplements, yoga and meditation.
What can we do to change this?
The best place to start is by discussing your condition with a medical professional. Don’t assume that you can fix yourself or that it will go away on it’s own. While it’s important to know and recognize the symptoms of postpartum depression in yourself, the intensity of your mental illness should always be assessed by a doctor or psychiatrist. If you’re not comfortable taking antidepressants, then speak up and ask about your options. If your treatment plan isn’t working, then try something different, or a combination of things. Postpartum depression can be a long term battle, so figuring out a treatment plan sooner rather than later will save you a lot of pain in the long run.
Related Reading:
This is Why I’m Not Excited About The Postpartum Depression Drug
How to Know if Online Therapy is the Right Choice for Moms
