How to help someone with postpartum depression: 10 medication and supportive treatment approaches

Bringing a new baby into the world can be one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also feel like one of the hardest periods. About 1 in 8 women experience the symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) after childbirth, and this number may be higher in some areas across the U.S. If someone you know has recently had a baby and seems unusually sad, exhausted or withdrawn, they might be experiencing PPD. 

This condition typically responds to mental health care, but there are things you can do to provide emotional and practical support. Psychiatry Treatment Centers provides mental health services for people struggling with depression and other mental health conditions. In this article, we’ll talk more about PPD, how it’s treated and what you can do to support your loved one.

Signs of postpartum depression

Postpartum depression, or postnatal depression, is more than just the “baby blues.” It’s a type of depression that can develop after giving birth, but it can affect adoptive parents as well. Researchers are still learning why some people develop this mental health disorder, but they believe that postpartum hormones, social and psychological changes may be contributing factors. The signs of PPD may include:

• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or guilt
• Lack of interest in your baby
• Feeling anxious about your baby
• Crying for no reason
• Excessive worry
• Feeling on edge
• Energy or motivation loss
• Loss of interest in activities that usually bring you joy
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Thoughts of harming your baby or yourself

Call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support in a mental health emergency.

4 PPD treatment options

Your loved one’s treatment plan depends on their symptoms. Their provider may adjust their recommendations throughout this course of care, depending on how well they’re responding to treatment. PPD is usually managed through a combination of mental health counseling and medication management:

PPD therapy

Someone with PPD may participate in individual, family or group therapy. Through these sessions, your loved one can learn better ways to cope with their feelings and respond to different situations as a new parent. If they participate in group therapy, they may also benefit from the support and perspectives of other new parents feeling the same way.

Medication

Many people with PPD also take an antidepressant. This medication may enter their breast milk, which is a concern for many parents. However, several antidepressants pose little risk to a breastfed baby, and they can discuss these options with their doctor.

If therapy and antidepressants aren’t working well, advanced options for treating depression may be available, such as esketamine (Spravato® brand) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS):

• Spravato® — Spravato® nasal spray is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding, but it may be an option for other new parents. 

• TMS therapy — Generally well tolerated by women with PPD, TMS is a noninvasive and medication-free depression treatment.

6 ways to help someone with postpartum depression

For someone with PPD, family and friends can play a big role in supporting them through this difficult time. Their mental health provider may encourage them to lean on their social network when they need help — and this is where you come in. The first step you can take is to learn the signs of PPD and how it’s treated. That way, you can be a more informed support person. 

Some of the other things you can do to help a mother experiencing PPD include:

1. Listening without judgement — They might find it helpful to vent or talk about how they’ve been feeling with someone who can listen openly and empathetically.

2. Offering practical support — Helping out with the new baby, cooking meals, picking up groceries or doing a few household chores can provide much-needed relief.

3. Encouraging self-care — You can remind them that it’s just as important to take care of themselves as it is to care for their baby and help them find the time to do so.

4. Helping them get some rest — Since sleep deprivation can contribute to PPD, having a caregiver tend to watch the baby while the mother rests may help.

5. Continuing to check in — Even after they’ve started to feel better, be sure to keep checking in every once in a while and let them know you’re still there for them.

Another thing you can do is encourage them to seek professional help. If you know the warning signs of PPD or can tell that they’re struggling, gently suggest they talk to their provider, obstetrician, midwife or therapist about how they’re feeling. Their baby’s pediatrician can also connect your loved one to the resources they need.

If they’re unsure about this step, you can even offer to go with them to their appointment and remind them that they don’t have to manage their mental health all on their own. PPD is a highly treatable mental health condition, and seeking professional help can help them feel more like themselves again.

Talk to Psychiatry Treatment Centers about PPD treatment today

If you have a loved one who needs help managing their PPD symptoms, let them know that help is available. Psychiatry Treatment Centers help patients across California and Georgia with depression, anxious depression and other disorders with innovative, evidence-based techniques. Our caring team can talk with your loved one and help them work through their symptoms, manage their medications and explore alternative treatment methods like TMS therapy or Spravato®.

You or your loved one can book an initial appointment online or contact our team by phone for more information about PPD treatment.