Are you feeling depressed after giving birth? Depression is a mood disorder that can come with serious symptoms. Left untreated, postpartum depression can continue to have a negative impact on your life. By seeking mental health treatment for your depression, you can put yourself on the path to recovery.

Like other kinds of depression, postpartum depression typically causes persistent low moods. Other symptoms include fatigue, insomnia and lack of appetite. You may experience intense feelings of anger, hopelessness and guilt. For many people with postpartum depression, these feelings are in some way connected to their newborn child. For example, you may feel guilty about having trouble bonding with your baby. It is important to understand that these thoughts and feelings are not always rational. Instead of blaming yourself or your child, it can help to seek treatment. Mental health treatments such as psychotherapy can offer major benefits for people with postpartum depression.

How long can postpartum depression last?

The answer to how long postpartum depression will last varies between different people. Because people tend to have very different experiences with postpartum depression, it’s difficult to determine an average length of time. Some people only experience symptoms for a few weeks. For others, postpartum depression can persist for months. The signs of postpartum depression don’t begin at the same time for everyone, either. Many people start to notice signs soon after childbirth, but this isn’t always the case. For some parents, postpartum depression appears several months after their child is born. 

Fortunately, the length of postpartum depression is not fixed. Treatment can have a significant impact on how long your postpartum depression lasts. While symptoms can persist for a long time when left untreated, there are plenty of steps you can take to accelerate your improvement. With these steps, you can work to shorten the length of your postpartum depression.

Ways to address your postpartum depression

• Prioritizing self-care — Making self-care a priority means different things for different people. For some people, going for a walk in nature is a great way to relax. For others, meditating or going out to a favorite restaurant might be an ideal form of self-care. If you are struggling with postpartum depression, spending some time away from your child can help you get relief. Even if for only 10 minutes at a time, getting a break from child care can allow you to relax and refresh yourself. In the long run, these breaks can empower you to be a better parent.
• Building a support network — Postpartum depression is hard to deal with alone. Instead of keeping your symptoms to yourself, it can be helpful to open up. Try to surround yourself with understanding, supportive friends and family members. Having a strong support network can offer an array of benefits: In addition to emotional support, your network can also be a great source of practical assistance. When a loved one has a child, close friends and family are often eager to help. Whether it’s assistance with child care or household chores, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Alleviating the stress of day-to-day responsibilities can have a positive impact on the symptoms of postpartum depression.
• Seeking professional help — If you are experiencing depression symptoms, professional help can be crucial. Professional mental health care providers can help you gain insights into your condition and find a way forward. In addition to other treatment options, one treatment that can offer great benefits for people with postpartum depression is process-based therapy (PBT). PBT is a fully personalized framework using the most effective aspects of evidence-based modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT), as well as compassion-based and somatic therapies to target the drivers behind mental health disorders and symptoms. With PBT, you can build the skills you need to address your postpartum depression symptoms.

Lightfully Behavioral Health can help you overcome postpartum depression

Lightfully Behavioral Health is here to help you address your postpartum depression. We offer evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and whole-person-centered care for new parents. With process-based therapy and other treatments provided by deeply compassionate experts, you can get the support you need on your journey to lasting mental wellness.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step to address your postpartum depression, reach out to us. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.