Postpartum Depression (cont.)
Medical Author:
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MDDr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. IN THIS ARTICLE
Other TherapyGenerally, psychotherapy and medications are used together. Psychotherapy alone may be effective in mild cases, particularly if the mother prefers to have treatment without prescribed drugs. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an alternative to medication that may be appropriate for some women. IPT assists with social adjustments. It usually consists of 12 one-hour long sessions with a therapist. IPT has been shown to improve measures of depression in some women. Teaching mothers skills such as soothing the baby's crying often reduces depressive symptoms during the first two to four months after delivery. If your symptoms can't be controlled with counseling or medicine, and you are thinking about hurting yourself or your baby, then your doctor may consider putting you in the hospital. Next Page: Must Read Articles Related to Postpartum Depression
Depression
Depression is a mental illness that affects 19 million Americans annually. Causes are genetic, environmental, and biological. Symptoms and signs include weight ...learn more >>
Viewer Comments & ReviewsPostpartum Depression - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What were your symptoms of postpartum depression? |
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Postpartum Depression »
During the postpartum period, up to 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance.
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