Bringing a new baby home can be filled with love and meaningful moments—but the postpartum period can also bring emotional changes that feel overwhelming, frightening, or difficult to explain.
If you’re experiencing postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum anxiety (PPA), you are not alone, and support is available.
Understanding Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)
Many new parents experience temporary mood changes after giving birth, sometimes called the “baby blues.” But when sadness, anxiety, fear, or emotional distress becomes intense, lasts longer than a couple of weeks, or interferes with everyday life, it may be a sign of a postpartum mental health condition.
Postpartum depression (PPD) may include:
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or frequent crying
- Feeling disconnected from your baby or loved ones
- Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or inadequacy
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Changes in sleep or appetite beyond what you would expect with a newborn
- Feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities
Postpartum anxiety (PPA) can look different. You may experience:
- Constant or excessive worrying
- Racing thoughts that are difficult to turn off
- Fear that something bad will happen to your baby
- Difficulty relaxing, even when your baby is safe
- Irritability or feeling constantly on edge
- Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath
You don’t need to experience every symptom to benefit from talking with a mental health professional.
Asking for Help Is an Important Part of Postpartum Care
There can be tremendous pressure to feel happy after having a baby. When your actual experience doesn’t match those expectations, it can be difficult to tell someone that you’re struggling.
Mental health care can provide a private, supportive space to talk about what you’re experiencing. Therapy can help you better understand your emotions, develop strategies for managing anxiety and depression, adjust to changes in your relationships and identity, and feel more supported during the transition into parenthood.
Postpartum mental health challenges are treatable. Reaching out for support can be an important step toward feeling more like yourself again.
Your Husband, Partner, or Baby’s Father Can Be Part of the Support Process
Postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) can affect the entire family, and you don’t necessarily have to go through treatment without the people closest to you.
With your consent and when clinically appropriate, we can involve your husband, partner, or your baby’s father in the therapeutic process. This can give them a better understanding of what you’re experiencing and help them learn meaningful ways to support you during the postpartum period.
Involving a supportive partner may help with communication, identifying your needs, sharing responsibilities, recognizing signs that you’re becoming overwhelmed, and creating a stronger support system at home.
The goal isn’t to place blame or make anyone feel responsible for “fixing” the situation. It’s to help the people who care about you understand how they can be part of your support system while you focus on your mental health and recovery.
Virtual Postpartum Mental Health Services
Getting to an office with a newborn isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer virtual mental health services, allowing you to receive compassionate postpartum support from the comfort and privacy of your home.
Our virtual services are available to clients in Orland Park, Palos Heights, Chicago, Bridgeview, Worth, Oak Lawn, Palos Park, Palos Hills, Evergreen Park, Oak Forest, Tinley Park, and surrounding Illinois communities, subject to provider availability and eligibility.
Virtual therapy can make it easier to fit mental health care into your life while managing feedings, sleep schedules, childcare, work, and the many other demands of the postpartum period.
We Accept Medicaid
Cost should not have to be another source of stress when you’re already navigating the demands of postpartum life.
We accept Medicaid, helping make postpartum mental health services more accessible to individuals and families in the communities we serve.
Coverage and eligibility can vary. Contact our office to learn more about your Medicaid benefits, virtual service options, and available appointments.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If PPD, PPA, constant worry, or feeling overwhelmed is making this season harder than you expected, our compassionate mental health team is here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a virtual appointment or learn more about our PPD and PPA services.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or believe you or your baby may be in immediate danger, seek emergency medical care right away.