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01 Mar

Postpartum Depression: The REAL Cause

  • By Amy Miller
  • In All Posts, Blog, Mental Health
  • 0 comment

Postpartum depression is a common and sometimes severe form of depression that affects new mothers at epidemic proportions. It is estimated that up to 30% of women experience postpartum depression, making it a major public health concern that deserves far more attention. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, and treatments for postpartum depression, providing you with the knowledge you need to understand and manage this condition.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that occurs after during the perinatal period. It not only encompasses postpartum but also pregnancy. Although not recognized yet, it should also include weaning depression. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion, and can last for several weeks or months. Unlike the “baby blues,” which are experienced by up to 80% of new mothers and usually resolve within two weeks, postpartum depression is a more serious condition that requires effective support tools and care.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

The study of postpartum depression is relatively new and still ever evolving. As I explain thoroughly in the Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Training, there are both internal and external factors that contribute to depression, all which are greatly linked together.

Essentially, postpartum depression is multi-factorial and requires many solutions.

Some quick facts for you:

  • Not a single study shows that depression begins in the brain. Depression is a symptom that is a secondary symptom.
  • Depression should be categorized with other inflammatory disorders. Psychoneuroimmunology is new science that connects gut, brain, and immune system.
  • If medications worked to heal, the rates of postpartum depression should go down. It hasn’t. They’ve tripled.
  • Serotonin imbalance is not longer the acceptable science. We now know that this is not the cause of depression.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

The symptoms of postpartum depression can vary from woman to woman, but common symptoms include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Fatigue and exhaustion
  • Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
  • Changes in appetite
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Thoughts of harm to oneself or the baby

If you suspect you may be suffering from postpartum depression, it is important to seek help. Reach out to a trained provider who will listen to your needs and support your WHOLE-BODY in not just coping but healing.

Here are Postpartum University, we take healing very seriously. Sometimes medications and counseling are a critical part of coping so that you can heal your body. The step of HEALING is an ongoing process that is usually missed entirely. Understanding how your body functions and how to support it is important, but having actionable tools is critical and life-changing. In my book, Reclaiming Postpartum Wellness, we give you a step-by-step approach to whole-body healing.

Supporting a Loved One with Postpartum Depression

If you know someone who is struggling with postpartum depression, there are several ways you can help:

  • Listen and offer emotional support
  • Encourage them to seek medical treatment
  • Offer to help with household tasks or care for the baby
  • Encourage healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and stress management
  • Make them a delicious nutrient dense meal

What you do, don’t say “let me know if you need anything”. A new mama always needs something, no matter if she has depression or not, and will likely never ask for help. A good friend shows up no matter what.

Here are some things you can say to be supportive:
  • “I’m making you a meal. Any food allergies I need to know about?”
  • “I’m going to leave you Starbucks at your door. What do you normally order?”
  • “Motherhood is the hardest. How are you? No. Really. How are you? Tell me everything.”
  • “Have you gotten in a shower and nap yet? When can I come over and give you some breathing room?”
In the grand scheme of things, it may seem small. But these are such big supports and they will impact that new mama for the rest of her life in ways she will never forget.

Related Articles

  • Tips to Avoid Postpartum Anxiety and Depression: Ep81
  • Pregnancy Depression with Angela Mancini: Ep72
  • What Postpartum Depression Feels Like: Ep55
  • How you Develop Depression, Anxiety, and Autoimmune Disease in Postpartum: Podcast EP8

Additional Resources

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Amy Miller

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Recent Posts

supporting the postpartum nervous system
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28Nov,2023
Carla Sargent
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21Nov,2023
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Your nutrient levels, quality of sleep, self-talk, Your nutrient levels, quality of sleep, self-talk, trauma experiences, and environment all shape the way your hormones work within you. 

It's never just a "chemical imbalance." 🙄
A new mother is often left to bond, learn to breastfeed, eat well, and sleep without support. And to do so while healing, learning her new body, returning to work, and doing many other overwhelming responsibilities.

Because women don't get the support they need, hormones become unbalanced and remain so for long periods of time, often extending years after the birth of baby, and impacting menopause decades later.

👉🏻💜HEY! I'm Maranda Bower, creator of @PostpartumUniversity. I've been in science and research, specializing in postpartum nutrition for nearly 15 years. And I'm here to tell you the TRUTH about postpartum.

Comment TRUTH to get the latest podcast episodes sent to your inbox and dive right in to the conversations we're having that challenge the status-quo!⭐️

#postpartumpodcast #postpartumhormones #hormonalimbalance 

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Here’s the truth. It’s ridiculous to allow m Here’s the truth. 

It’s ridiculous to allow moms to continue to believe that they will feel recovered from childbirth at the 6-week mark. 

This “well check” (clearing you for exercise and sex, and providing birth control) was developed by a patriarchal medical model that has no relevance whatsoever to true postpartum recovery. 

Genuine, holistic healing and well-being should be a priority for every mother who’s brought life into the world and the support team that cares for her. 

👉🏻 Hey! I'm Maranda ❤, @PostpartumUniversity, and I consistently support and educate postpartum professionals and practitioners around the world. 

Join me on this journey by making sure to hit that follow button. 💜

#postpartummatters #postpartumrecovery #matrescence #4thtrimester #postpartumhealing #firsttimemom #newmom #childbirtheducator #postpartumdoula
Supporting the postpartum nervous system is a crit Supporting the postpartum nervous system is a critical part of recovery and long-term healing.

In this episode, we’re talking about:
✨What’s happening with the nervous system after childbirth.
✨The role the nervous system plays in regulating other functions within the body.
✨Holistic strategies that can be included in everyday routines (without adding more to your to-do list) that will support a healthy nervous system. 

The insight and practical steps I’m sharing here are strategies I actually use in my day-to-day life and have developed over 14 years of motherhood and four kids.

It’s my hope that the strategies I’m sharing here are things you can start doing right away to enrich your own postpartum experience and support the mamas in your life.

Comment TRUTH to get this episode sent to your inbox to listen right away! 

#postpartumrecovery #nervoussystemhealing #tretherapy #slowliving #consciousliving #generationalhealing #generationalwounds #healingthemother #slowpostpartum #holisticpostpartum #postpartumdoula #firsttimemom #newmomlife
Enough is enough. Women should NOT be settling f Enough is enough. 

Women should NOT be settling for mediocre health and wellness simply because they became mothers. 

In fact, the opposite should be true! 

Mothers should be vibrant and thriving. 

Will you join me in challenging the status quo?! 

Comment READY to learn more! 

#postpartumautoimmune #postnataldepletion #maternalmentalhealth #postpartumrecovery #postpartumhairloss #lactationconsultant #postpartummeals #perinatalchiropractic #perinatalhealth #postpartumnutritionplan #postpartumhealing #momcoach #chronicfatigue #postpartumdoula

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