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5 Common Myths About Postpartum Depression
Daniel Hageman
Postpartum depression (PPD) attacks thousands of women each year, it affects almost 30% of new mothers in America and Mexico alone making it one of the most common post pregnancy complications. The lack of knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of PPD has created powerful myths that impact the lives of many families during one of what should be the happiest moment in a woman’s life. In an effort to raise awareness of an often underrated illness, here are five false myths surrounding postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression (PPD) attacks thousands of women each year, it affects almost 30% of new mothers in America and Mexico alone[1] making it one of the most common post pregnancy complications. The lack of knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of PPD has created powerful myths that impact the lives of many families during one of what should be the happiest moment in a woman’s life. In an effort to raise awareness of an often underrated illness, here are five false myths surrounding postpartum depression.
Myth #1 – “Postpartum depression can’t be avoided, I just need to suck it up and it’ll go away”
A variety of physical, psychological, and biological factors can trigger PPD. This illness, however, is very treatable and should be taken care of immediately. Identifying risk factors and understanding the stress associated with giving birth can help you and your doctor plan ahead. New mothers should also maintain a balanced diet avoiding alcohol and caffeine, inform family members and friends when and how often they can visit you and your newborn to avoid extra stress, and make sure you have a solid support system as well.
Myth #2 – “Because of my age, I am at a higher risk of developing PPD”
PPD can affect anyone regardless of age. It can happen to women of reproductive age regardless of income, origin, age, or ethnicity. The real causes of PPD are not always clear; sudden hormonal changes before and after giving birth could be one reason, thyroid problems have also been highlighted as a possible culprit, and previous episodes of depression also put you at a higher risk of PPD after birth. While feeling anxious and overwhelmed can both be normal emotions to any new mother, if these start interfering with their ability to take care of herself or the baby, they can be signs that professional help is needed.
Myth #3 – “I should be happy to be a mother and love my child. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be a mother”
Postpartum Depression is different from the “baby blues”,. The later only lasts about a week while the former can last months or longer if left untreated. Symptoms of PPD are also clearly distinctive: loss of appetite, loss of pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, and/or changes in sleeping patters. More serious symptoms require immediate medical attention and they include: negative feelings towards the baby, hallucinations, or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Myth #4 – “My family does not understand about depression. If I speak out they’ll shun me out”
The family unit can create high expectations for new mothers. Many families, however, either don’t talk openly about mental health issues or just haven’t been directly exposed to them. In these cases, the stigma associated with mental illness can be especially damaging to a new mother. Do not let uncertainty, fear, or misinformation become a barrier and stop you from getting the help you need.
Previous generations of mothers have probably experienced PPD but haven’t had the courage or the opportunity to talk about it. Sit down with the mothers in your family and bring up the topic; you might be surprised by how common postpartum depression feelings are.
Myth #5 – “If I ask for help I’ll have to take medication that might affect breastfeeding or hurt my baby”
As a precaution, antidepressants are not usually recommended for most pregnant women, especially during the early stages of a pregnancy. However, there are exceptions to be made if the risk posed by depression is far greater than the potential risks of antidepressants. Some of these potential complications include: loss of pregnancy, birth defects affecting the baby’s heart, risk of pulmonary hypertension[2]. Your doctor should discuss with you the risks vs benefits of taking antidepressants so that you both can decide what is the best option for you and your baby.
Many mothers are now opting for a non-drug therapy to treat postpartum depression, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy or TMS therapy. It is increasingly becoming a preferred method of treatment for postpartum depression because it is a non-drug, non-invasive therapy that will not produce side effects for the mother of the baby. A study published by the Washington University School of Medicine in 2009 chronicled 9 antidepressant-free women suffering from postpartum depression, 8 out of them achieved remission of symptoms after 4 weeks of repetitive TMS Therapy. Additionally, results showed a significant increase in mother-baby bonding. This demonstrated promising results for the use of TMS therapy in various types of depression.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above or if you need help determining if a family member could be experiencing PPD, contact your family doctor immediately. Seeking treatment will give you the opportunity to feel better and enjoy the blessings and happiness that come with becoming a parent.
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Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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