When Post Partum Depression Hits Home-It May be Closer Than You Think
And a Call to Help a Family in Need-Or Yourself
Post Partum Depression is a real and serious condition that effects a large number of women. In fact, Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbirth, putting American families at risk each and every year. (post partum progress.org)
Recently, a family was directly effected by this disorder. A young woman tragically was not able to escape the depths of her PPD and has left behind her grieving family and an infant. They have a lot of support professionally, spiritually and emotionally right now, but the father is a new dad and left to care for his child alone. They are now in need of certain items and would be very grateful for any and all donations. Please send all donations to: Stacey Del Valle 3153 Route 9W Saugerties, NY 12477 or drop off at the two story house that sits directly behind Cattalinatto Law Firm. (address will not show up on GPS)
Contact; Jenna or Olivia for more info. or to arrange donation drop off other than options listed.
The family needs:
Baby boy clothes size 12 months-2T
Diapers size 3 and up
Local gift cards; Target, Wal-Mart, Adams
One of the worst parts about PPD is that it is often unrecognized, undiagnosed and/or the mom feels totally alone and ashamed for her condition; leading her to not gain the help that is needed. Do you think you may have PPD or know a family member who suffers from this disorder? Read below for a list of local resources and places to get help and to read a little about what PPD might look like/feel like.
So what is PPD? How can we do mystify and de stigmatize it?
PPD is, lying in bed before your eyes open, filled with dread as if the nagging negative thoughts began before the sun even had a chance to reach your day. Counting down the minutes until you can get out; out of your home, away from your kids, out of the room, away from everything and realizing it's your own pain you really need space from and all else is a projection, also there is no way out of you.
PPD might be moments of inspiration like looking straight into your child's eyes, seeing pure innocence and love and feeling such deep gratitude and devotion that immediately turns to guilt (for not seeing it always) shame (that you will never be enough ) and terror (that something bad will happen to your child).
Post Partum Depression can cause nights that you are awake more hours than you are asleep and when asleep somehow still feel on edge.
A mom effected by PPD might experience afternoons where coffee is literally your only friend as it brings her comfort, a bit of relief and reliability that in her current isolation and roller coaster experience doesn't come from a real person, and if so, not one that truly understands or knows how she feels.
A new mom will likely have hormones that surge, drop, surge and drop by the handful. Ie; mood swings, cravings, crying for no reason, feeling nothing, hair loss, appetite loss, loss of sexual desire etc. It may sound like a bad disclaimer of side effects for a medication yet is extremely commonplace after having a baby.
It is common for a mom with PPD to experience rage that transcends any rational thought, like being out of cereal or milk( even for one day), the sound of the baby crying (even though this is a given) Anyone asking you anything that becomes the straw on the camel's back of pressure you place on herself with very little control:
No one understanding.
Dishes not washed.
Laundry undone
Proper diet and exercise a struggle.
Staying in your home for weeks, because anything else is too scary.
The list goes on and varies greatly per individual and family. However one truth remains. This is real and these women are many times not heard. Unfortunately, some mom's turn to suicide believing it is the only way to cope; or that their children are better off without them.
Fortunately exposure is on the upswing to this disorder. More and more moms are speaking up about their experience, including celebrities. This is reducing the stigma, showing all moms that it is more normal than they realize; it is nothing to be ashamed of, and most importantly there is help and hope available.
The clincher of PPD is that heavy hitting SHAME. Although it is strikingly common, many women feel so incredibly ashamed and alone. They are not likely to speak up and get help. Many, simply do not know how or where to turn. Although the trend is shifting, the current medical system (and frankly) society does very, very little to support mothers mental health, whether from a preventative holistic standpoint of providing support or community providing ways to catch those who are falling.
Only 15% of women with Postpartum Depression ever receive professional treatment. This means about 850,000 women each year are not getting the help they need. Part of the reason for lack of treatment is the fact that many physicians, including obstetricians and pediatricians, do not screen. Another part of the reason is the stigma that exists that either prevents mothers for asking for help or in following through on treatments like therapy or psychiatric medication. Whatever the reason, when women are not treated for PPD, research shows they are less able to bond with their children or care for them properly. They are more likely to medicate themselves with alcohol or drugs. And they may end up with lifelong chronic depression or anxiety. (www.postpartumprogress.org)
PPD is caused by many factors and there are certain risk factors that contribute as well. For more detailed information, please see this website.
http://postpartumprogress.org/the-facts-about-postpartum-depression/
If you feel that you or a loved one may need additional support in pregnancy or even up to three years post birth- Please consider contacting any of these local resources.
Therapist's
Agathe C. Pierre-Louis, Psy.D
EMBRACE Therapy
Licensed Clinical Psychologist providing individual, couples/family and group therapy.
Specializing in the treatment of maternal mental health including antepartum and postpartum (perinatal mood and anxiety), Postpartum stress disorder (PTSD), Postpartum OCD, Psychosis and rage.
All mood disorders (bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety), life adjustment, infertility, psycho-oncology, domestic violence and relational issues.
Office in Goshen.
Contact: 855-771-0404
info@iembracetherapy.com
iembracetherapy.com
Maryann Ryan, APN-C
Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia. Providing psychiatric evaluation, individual therapy and medication evaluation and management, when needed.
Office in Warwick.
Contact: 845-545-5444
psychrxsolutions.com
Tracy A. Prout, PhD
Licensed Psychologist specializing in psychotherapy for adults, couples and families. Talk and Play therapy available for children and adolescents.
Expertise in postpartum depression, anxiety, birth trauma, infertility and grief and loss.
Sliding Scale Fee available.
Office in Garrison.
Contact: 917-596-2958
drtracyprout.com
Danielle Powell, LCSW
One Village Counseling
Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in maternal mental health (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders), postpartum stages and early childhood (ages birth to five) addressing infant and toddler mental health.
Provides individual and/or family therapy, including parent-child interaction therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy - EMDR (for trauma/post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cognitive behavioral therapy and play therapy.
Sliding scale available.
Contact: 845-514-0163
Office in Kingston.
onevillagecounseling.com
Jemma Schwartz, LMSW
Licensed Masters in Social Work specializing in the treatment of addressing complex trauma and maternal mental health.
Provides short term behavioral health interventions that support wellness and connects individuals to community resources to increase connectivness.
The Institute for Family Health provides a wide range of umbrella services. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.
Sliding scale payment available. Accepts Medicaid.
Office in Kingston.
Contact: 845-338-8444
institute.org
institute.org/es/
Abby Jill Venzor, LCSW-R, HHC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing individual, couples and family therapy for anxiety and depression including holistic approaches.
Accepts sliding scale payments.
Office in New Paltz.
Contact: 347-693-3347
abbyvenzor.com
Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/WestPPD
