Postpartum Depression Treatment in Dallas, TX
You’re a new parent and you find yourself struggling emotionally.
Having a new baby is a very exciting time in a person’s life, but, it is also a very difficult time. Having a baby results in so many changes including physical, financial, and hormonal. Sleep patterns and routines also drastically change. Most people are aware of the “baby blues,” which affect many women after giving birth. But, people don’t realize just how common a postpartum mood disorder is. In fact, research shows that 1 out of every 7 women and 1 out of every 10 men experience postpartum depression.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression and/or Anxiety
Everyone experiences depression and anxiety in different ways. Yet, several symptoms are common in the people that we work with who are struggling during or after pregnancy.
Some symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety include:
Feelings of sadness
Irritability
Excessive worrying about the baby
Having problems eating or sleeping
Difficulty bonding with the baby
Having doubts about becoming a parent
Having upsetting thoughts that you cannot get rid of
Is it the Baby Blues?
Many women experience “The Baby Blues.” In fact, research shows that as many as 80 percent of women experience it. The baby blues include mood swings and being tearful. But, it only lasts for about two weeks after delivery. If you are having symptoms longer than that, you may have postpartum depression or anxiety. If you suspect you do, it might be helpful to reach out for help.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is very common. Many women struggle with it after giving birth. Research has shown that around 10 percent of pregnant women experience depression. Similarly, around 15 percent of new moms have postpartum depression.
Some common postpartum depression symptoms include:
Sadness
Irritability
Difficulty eating or sleeping
Feeling guilty
Feeling hopeless
Difficulty bonding with the baby
Thoughts of hurting the baby or self
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you do not have to go through this alone. Postpartum depression treatment is a great way to decrease perinatal depression. A postpartum depression therapist will join you in getting to a better place.
Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety is not talked about in the general public as much as postpartum depression. Yet, it affects a lot of new parents. In fact, around 10 percent of women experience postpartum anxiety.
Symptoms of postpartum anxiety include:
Excessive worrying
Difficulty eating or sleeping
Irritability
Racing thoughts
A feeling that something bad is going to happen
Fear about the baby’s health or safety
Physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, nausea, tightness in the chest, or difficulty breathing
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, postpartum anxiety treatment is an effective way to treat them. Our therapists are experienced in helping women who are experiencing perinatal anxiety. Our therapists would be happy to help you decrease your anxiety and start enjoying this new chapter of your life.
Postpartum Obsessiveness
Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder may be one of the most misunderstood diagnoses that new parents struggle with. Though this is not talked about much, as many as five percent of new mothers experience perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Symptoms of postpartum OCD include intrusive, reoccurring thoughts that a parent has related to the baby. These thoughts often do not align with the parent’s personality. Also, they are something the parent would never truly act upon. Parents that have postpartum OCD are often terrified of their thoughts. Although part of them knows that they would never act upon those thoughts, part of their brain is fearful that they will.
Compulsions are also associated with this diagnosis. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a parent may do to decrease their fears and obsessions. This may include checking things, cleaning things, or constantly asking for reassurance. If you are experiencing postpartum OCD, you might be afraid to reach out for help in fear that your therapist will think that you want to act on your obsessive thought. But, our therapists have experience in working with women and men who have postpartum OCD. We can help you to get to a place where OCD is not controlling you.
Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another common issue that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. PTSD often occurs when there has been a complicated pregnancy. Or when something traumatic occurred during the birth process. Common PTSD symptoms include experiencing flashbacks, panic attacks, and hypervigilance. Difficulty sleeping and avoiding things that are reminders of the traumatic event also occur.
Our Therapists Can Help
If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression, we would love to help you adjust to your transition of becoming a parent. Our therapists have years of experience in helping people overcome postpartum depression anxiety so they can live more peaceful lives. Your therapist will take the time to get to know you and your specific concerns. Then, work with you on determining the best ways to address your symptoms.
Sunrise Counseling’s Approach to Postpartum Depression Treatment
Our therapists use a blend of different therapy techniques for postpartum depression and anxiety. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Relational Therapy. Sessions include the exploration of how specific thoughts, behaviors, and emotions interact with each other. And, how they influence one’s encounters with life and its challenges. We will help you learn and practice coping skills that will work for them when anxiety or depression levels start to increase. We have also found that people who can be genuine in relationships have lower levels of anxiety and depression. So, we will also help you identify, build, and strengthen relationships where you feel like you can be yourself and not put on a façade. We recognize that each person that comes into our office is unique. So even though these styles of therapy guide treatment, we tailor our approach to each person's needs.
Postpartum Depression Treatment with Faith Integration
At Sunrise Counseling, our therapists can integrate your faith into treatment if that is something that you want. What does this look like? Well, if you tell us you don’t want to discuss your faith during therapy or it’s not related to the issues that bring you to counseling, then we will not discuss religion in your therapy sessions. But, if you are religious and would like to talk about that during treatment, we offer faith-based counseling to help you address the issues that matter most to you. This may take the form of talking about how your faith is impacting your postpartum depression or anxiety. It may also involve talking about how you draw upon your faith as a way of coping with distress.
Begin Postpartum Depression or Postpartum Anxiety Treatment in Dallas
You are tired of anxiety and depression affecting your life and the life of your loved ones. Our therapists can help from our Dallas, TX-based therapy practice. Sunrise Counseling has caring therapists who specialize in postpartum difficulties. To start counseling and take steps towards getting rid of your worries, follow these steps:
Meet with one of our caring therapists that specializes in postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety
Start your path to finding peace again
Other Counseling Services in Dallas, Texas
Postpartum anxiety and depression are not the only things our therapists specialize in. We provide a variety of services to clients in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Here are some other mental health services we provide at Sunrise Counseling:
Social Difficulties
Attention Difficulties
Self-esteem issues
Body image
Parent training
LGBTQ+ Concerns
Fear of failure
Career concerns
Adjustment difficulties due to various life changes
Depression
Grief and Loss
Teen Therapy