Making a decision about treatment is best made between you and your healthcare providers. Still, the more you know about your options, the easier it will be to navigate this part of your journey. To help you make sense of what is available to you, we have outlined the treatment options for postpartum depression—psychotherapy, medication, alternative/complementary options, and lifestyle changes—in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is usually the first treatment option offered to people battling postpartum depression, especially for mild to moderate cases. Psychotherapy has proven to be reliably effective in treating postpartum depression. For example, a large review study found that psychological treatments for postpartum depression were effective and decreased symptoms among people who utilized them. People who received therapy had a reduced likelihood of postpartum depression within the first year after birth. Almost any experienced therapist can help you navigate postpartum depression and work with you on recovery. But it can be helpful to find a therapist who has experience treating postpartum mood disorders.
Interpersonal therapy: Interpersonal therapy explores the relationship between your interpersonal problems and experiences and your mood. It is often used to treat depression. Treatment usually lasts 12 to 20 weeks.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT explores the relationship of your thoughts to your behavioral actions. It uses mindfulness techniques to help you become more aware of your negative thought patterns, and helps you come up with techniques for managing stress.Nondirective counseling: Nondirective counseling is based on the premise that you know yourself best, and that your own path to healing is within you. Your therapist will take a more hands-off approach and will focus on listening and self-affirmation.
There was an error. Please try again. Remember to follow your gut when picking a therapist. You want to find someone who you feel comfortable with. Sometimes you may need to meet with more than one therapist until you find the one for you. Also keep in mind that there are now more options than ever before for therapy, including online and virtual therapists.
Medication
It’s not uncommon for mothers to need medication to treat postpartum depression. The amount of time you need to be on medication depends on your personal situation, and may be anywhere from a few months to longer. The time course should not dictate your decision about whether or not to start treatment. Remember that there is nothing “weak” about using medication. Making that decision might be the best for you—after all, making an active choice to prioritize your mental health is important for both you and your family. The choice to start medication to treat your postpartum depression should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider who will discuss what options may work best for your particular situation. Many mothers are concerned that starting psychotropic medication will mean they need to stop breastfeeding. But the good news is that many medications are compatible with breastfeeding. You can discuss options with a healthcare provider, pharmacist, or you may consider consulting LactMed, a government-sponsored database that compiles medications and their known effects on breastfeeding.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy is often used to treat severe cases of postpartum depression that do not respond to medication. It is also used frequently to treat postpartum psychosis. Although research about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and postpartum depression is limited, one study consisting of five women receiving ECT for postpartum depression reported a 100% remission rate.
Complementary Medicine and OTC Treatments
The two most often utilized and proven methods to treat postpartum depression are therapy and medication. But sometimes people want to complement their treatment with additional methods. It’s also important to note, however, that not all alternative treatments have much proof behind them, so stocking up on a certain vitamin or food may not be all it is chalked up to to be. You also want to beware of any treatments that may do more harm than good. Here are a few complementary treatments for postpartum depression that are supported and recommended by experts.
Bright Light Therapy
Bright light therapy is used to treat seasonal affective disorders. But as the International Journal of Women’s Health explains, there is evidence that bright light therapy can treat non-seasonal depression, and may have promise in the treatment of postpartum depression.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Consuming omega-3 fatty acids may help mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression, according to a study published in the International Journal of Women’s Health. Researchers indicate that omega-3 fatty acids have known health benefits for pregnant and postpartum women as well as some data showing positive effects on mood in the general population. However, research on using these fatty acids to treat postpartum depression is not conclusive.
Acupuncture and Massage
Although the research is still emerging, there is some evidence that acupuncture and massage can have a positive impact on treating mild symptoms of postpartum depression. Massage in particular has been found to significantly improve the symptoms of postpartum depression.
Lifestyle Changes
Again, nothing can fully substitute for professional mental health care. That being said, postpartum depression is triggered in part by the abrupt changes to your lifestyle that happened after the birth of your baby. So treating it may mean re-evaluating the day-to-day experiences that add stress to your life.
Exercise
The endorphins released during exercise can help improve your mood and lift your spirits. It can be really hard to fit exercise in when you have an infant. But it can be done with a little ingenuity. Take your baby on a walk (they will love it too!). Bounce around the house while wearing your baby in a carrier. Do a 15 minute exercise video while your baby naps. Every little bit counts and you can exercise in short spurts throughout the day.
Prioritize Sleep
The idea of prioritizing sleep may sound laughable when you have a baby. But sleep deprivation can negatively affect your mental health. Although the age-old advice “sleep when the baby sleeps” may not work for you, there are other ways to make sure you get the sleep you need. If you have a partner, ask them to wake up early with the baby and let you sleep in or have a friend or family member hold your baby during the day so you can take a solo nap. Go to sleep early and leave the chores for another day.
Connect With Other Parents
When you are struggling with postpartum depression, it can be easy to feel like you are all alone. But the fact is, many other parents are struggling, too. Although not everyone is dealing with a postpartum mood disorder, parenting a little one is extremely difficult and emotionally taxing—which is why it can be so gratifying to connect to other parents who are facing similar challenges. Banding together with them can help you get through this.
Make Time for Yourself
This may also sound like an impossibility. But part of what can prompt an episode of postpartum depression is the sudden change of identity that happens when you first become a parent. It can be so helpful to remember who you are outside of your new role. Taking even an hour a week to do something you love—reading, spending time with friends, taking up a hobby—can be very helpful as you journey through your postpartum depression recovery.
A Word From Verywell
Your recovery from postpartum depression isn’t necessarily going to be a straight line. There will be days that you begin to feel better, and days when it still feels as challenging as ever. Remember that this is normal, but if you stay in touch with your healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and support network, you will get through this. You deserve to feel better—to feel like yourself again—and there are so many options out there to help you get where you need to be.
