You brought your new baby home a month ago. They're beautiful, perfect and everything you ever wanted. And yet you feel detached, unusually sad, alone, scared, or even angry. You may have postpartum depression .
Studies show as many as one in seven mothers have depression in the year after having a child. But postpartum depression is likely far more common, experts say. It may affect as many as 50% of women!
It’s Not Your Fault
Many women blame themselves or feel embarrassed or ashamed for having postpartum depression. That shame can keep them from talking about their symptoms or reaching out for help. Not talking about your feelings or isolating yourself from those who care about you can make depression worse.
Postpartum depression isn't your fault. It doesn't mean you're a bad mother or a bad person. There's no single cause, and while previous bouts of depression and family history of mental health issues can play a role in postpartum depression, this condition can affect any woman.
Getting help quickly is the best way to start managing your symptoms so you can start feeling better. Thankfully, you have mental health care through your TRS-ActiveCare plan to get help for postpartum depression.
Baby blues or postpartum depression?
According to the Mayo Clinic, most new mothers experience the “baby blues." Typically caused by sudden hormonal shifts that take place after childbirth, baby blues can include symptoms like:
- mood swings
- negative feelings
- frequent crying
- anxiety
- trouble sleeping
Baby blues are usually mild and short lasting, coming on within a few days of giving birth and lasting up to two weeks. Symptoms that last longer than two weeks may be an indication of postpartum depression. Other signs of postpartum depression include:
- feeling unhappy or indifferent about being a parent
- difficulty connecting with your baby
- loss of interest in favorite activities
- feeling anxious or sad much of the time
- getting frequently upset or angry with your baby or other family members
- difficulty eating or eating too much
- trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- difficulty making decisions
- being uncertain you can care for your baby
- isolating from family and friends
- extreme fatigue, lack of energy or restlessness
- intense anxiety or panic attacks
Getting help for postpartum depression
If you've had symptoms of postpartum depression for more than two weeks after giving birth, it's time to get help. Here's how:
- See a therapist. A mental health professional who's skilled in postpartum depression can help you understand your condition, manage your symptoms and teach you new coping skills. Use Provider Finder to find an in-network mental health provider. You can also use Headway for same-day matching with providers who have openings within 48 hours.
- Make a virtual therapy appointment. If it's hard to leave the house with a new baby or you'd just prefer to get help over the phone or online, visit Teladoc™ . Virtual appointments with a licensed therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist are no-cost for TRS-ActiveCare Primary and TRS-ActiveCare Primary+ participants.
- Connect with a Personal Health Guide 24/7. It can be overwhelming to complete tasks like searching for a provider when you're depressed. Make it easy on yourself by letting a Personal Health Guide do the work. Call 1-866-355-5999 or chat in the BCBSTX App anytime, day or night. A PHG can even make an appointment for you. Be sure to mention you're looking for postpartum depression care and they'll find you a specialized provider.
- Access Ovia Health™. Get information about – and help with – postpartum depression and every stage of fertility, pregnancy and parenting with Ovia apps.
- Explore Well onTarget®. Access self-management programs, tips and resources to help you manage your depression . Videos, podcasts, 12-week programs. and other tools are available anytime, day or night .
- Get help digitally with Learn to Live. You can access programs online anytime, anywhere for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and more .
What else can you do?
The Mayo Clinic offers tips for activities you can add to your professional treatment:
- Eat right and get some exercise. Making healthy lifestyle choices can help your mental state.
- Get enough rest It can be challenging to find time to sleep with a new baby, but lack of sleep can make depression worse. “Sleep when the baby sleeps" has been solid advice for decades!
- Stay away from alcohol. You're likely not drinking alcohol if you're nursing, but alcohol use can worsen depression symptoms.
- Goeasy on yourself. You don't have to be superwoman. Easing up on the pressure to do everything yourself and be “perfect" can help you adjust to your new lifestyle.
- Make time for yourself See a friend for lunch, take a walk or go to a movie. Don't underestimate the power of these little outings for your mental health.
- Don't isolate. Postpartum depression is often a solitary condition. Isolation can make it even harder to treat if loved ones don't know how you're feeling. Talking to friends, family and your partner is critical. You may be surprised how many women you know who've experienced something similar and can provide advice or support.
- Ask for help. It's the first and most important step toward getting better
When Postpartum Depression Becomes Postpartum Psychosis
About one out of every 500 mothers experiences a dangerous and extreme postpartum mental health crisis called postpartum psychosis .
Get help immediately if you or someone you know has these symptoms :
- thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- having hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mania, or severe confusion
- thoughts of death or suicide
You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 anytime, day or night, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 . Be sure to tell the operator or medical assistant who checks you in that it's a mental health emergency so dispatchers and doctors get you the right type of help .
Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for mental health and substance abuse treatment referral and information.