OHIO PROVIDERS FOR HEALTHY LIVING
  • Home
  • Our Services
  • Our Clinical Team
  • Virtual Visits
  • Insurances Accepted
  • New Patient Information & Forms
  • Current Patient Information & Forms
  • Request a Refill
  • Refer a Patient
  • Make a Payment
  • Maitland Florida Office
  • Patient Feedback
  • Athelas
  • Blog

Our Thoughts & Ideas

We present thoughts and ideas about various topics here to help raise awareness and to educate others.

Understanding Postpartum Depression and Anxiety by Lindsay Menigat, LPCC-S

6/7/2018

2 Comments

 
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects nearly 1 million women in the U.S. each year. Symptoms of PPD can begin during a woman's pregnancy through the first year following childbirth. PPD is beyond baby blues, which is a normal adjustment period that happens during the first 2 weeks of birth affecting 80% of new moms.

Many people have heard of PPD, but did you know symptoms of PPD can expand beyond depression symptoms and include anxiety, OCD, as well as other psychiatric symptoms? Postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD symptoms can impact a mother's daily functioning, potentially interfering with her ability to take care of herself or her family.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression may include:
  • * Feeling constantly overwhelmed.
  • * Feeling guilty (i.e. "I should be handling new motherhood better than this.")
  • * Feeling like you are not bonding with your baby.
  • * Feeling very confused or scared.
  • * Feeling impatient, irritable, or angry.
  • * Feeling empty or numb.
  • * Feeling sad & tearful.
  • * Feeling hopeless or like a failure.
  • * Changes in appetite.
  • * Trouble with concentration or focus.
  • * Sleep problems, such as trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, even when baby is sleeping.
  • * Feeling disconnected or that you can't snap out of it.
  • * Thoughts of running away, leaving your family, or hurting yourself in some way.
  • * Fearful if you reach out for help people, will judge you or that your baby will be taken away.

Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety & OCD may include:
  • * Racing thoughts.
  • * Unable to relax.
  • * Feeling restless or on edge.
  • * Trouble controlling worry or having constant "What if ... " thoughts.
  • * Fearful to be alone with your baby because of scary thoughts or worries.
  • * Feeling the need to check things constantly (i.e. is my baby breathing?).
  • * Experiencing physical symptoms like shakiness, stomach aches, or headaches.
  • * Trouble eating or changes in appetite. 
  • * Feeling a sense of dread, like something bad is going to happen.
  • * Sleep problems such as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, even when baby is sleeping.
  • * Fearful or afraid that if you reach out for help people will judge you or that your baby will be taken away.

Any woman who is pregnant or has had a baby in the last year can be at risk for PPD. However, factors like history of mental illness, being a first time mom, ambivalence about the pregnancy, lack of support system, partner problems, infertility, complications during childbirth, and recent stressors can all increase of woman's chances of developing PPD.

A woman's health care provider can help her choose the best course of treatment. Treating PPD can include individual counseling, medication, and postpartum support groups.
2 Comments
Tammie Houston link
11/21/2019 03:50:52 pm

I never knew that nearly 1 million women are being affected by postpartum depression each year. My niece is about to give birth to her firstborn next month, and we want to make sure that she is always healthy and happy to avoid being stressed. Moreover, it is highly recommended to consult a specialist to seek help whenever postpartum depression arises.

Reply
postnatal workout plan link
6/7/2025 01:51:28 am

This article beautifully sheds light on such an important topic. As a Pilates studio, we’ve seen firsthand how mindful movement can support emotional well-being postpartum. Thanks for raising awareness!

Reply



Leave a Reply.


Picture

ADDRESS:

Lewis Center - 8351 N. High St, Suite 155, Columbus, OH 43235
Picture

Phone:

614-664-3595 (phone and fax)
Picture

Email:

​[email protected]
​
Communications via email are not secure.  Although it is unlikely, there is a possibility that the information you include in an email can be intercepted and read by other parties besides the person to whom it is addressed.

​Please DO NOT use this email address for medication refill requests or for emergency situations.

Click here for refill requests instead of using email:
Medication Refill Request Form

If you have a medical emergency, email is never the appropriate way to communicate your needs, and you should instead call 911 or go to the nearest ER.  If you are having suicidal thoughts and need to speak to someone immediately, you can contact Suicide Prevention Hotline at the number (and link) below.
PATIENT PORTAL - https://portal.kareo.com/pp-webapp/app/new/login
Picture

2025  Providers for Healthy Living  |  All Rights Reserved
Providers for Healthy Living
  • Home
  • Our Services
  • Our Clinical Team
  • Virtual Visits
  • Insurances Accepted
  • New Patient Information & Forms
  • Current Patient Information & Forms
  • Request a Refill
  • Refer a Patient
  • Make a Payment
  • Maitland Florida Office
  • Patient Feedback
  • Athelas
  • Blog