Postpartum Depression

Home Treatment

Postpartum depression is a medical condition, not a sign of weakness. Be honest with yourself and those who care about you. Tell them about your struggle. You, your health professional, and your friends and family can team up to treat your symptoms.

• Schedule outings and visits with friends and family, and ask them to call you regularly. Isolation feeds depression, especially when combined with the stresses of caring for a newborn.
• Eat a balanced diet. If you have little appetite, eat small snacks throughout the day. Nutritional supplement shakes are also useful for keeping up your energy.
• Get regular daily exercise, such as outdoor stroller walks. Exercise helps improve mood.
• Get as much sunlight as possible—keep your shades and curtains open, and get outside as much as you can.
• Ask for help with food preparation and other daily tasks. Family and friends are often happy to help a mother with newborn demands.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Avoid using alcohol or other substances to feel better (self-medicating). Talk to your health professional if you're having symptoms that need treatment.
• Don't overdo it, and get as much rest and sleep as possible. Fatigue can increase depression.
• Join a support group of new mothers. No one can better understand and support the challenges of caring for a new baby than other postpartum women. For more information on support groups, talk to your health professional or see the Web site of Postpartum Support International at http://www.postpartum.net.

For more information on how to cope with your symptoms, see:

Depression: Managing postpartum depression.

The potential for domestic violence increases during a woman's pregnancy and when a couple is adjusting to a new baby. If your partner is violent or emotionally abusive, you and your baby are physically at risk, and you have an higher risk of postpartum depression. Now more than ever, it's crucial that you protect yourself and your baby—seek support and help. For more information, see the topic Domestic Violence.

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: June 30, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
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