5 Signs You Might Need Therapy in Postpartum (and that’s totally okay)
Written by Annie Dreese, MA, AMFT
The postpartum journey can be a rollercoaster ride filled with happiness, exhaustion, and overwhelming emotions. While it can be a magical time, it's also challenging in the most profound ways. However, if you find yourself struggling more than you anticipated, seeking out postpartum therapy or additional mental health support can be a game changer to healing, and feeling more like yourself again.
5 Benefits of Joining a California Pregnancy & Postpartum Group:
1.The "Baby Blues" aren’t going away:
You might have heard of the baby blues, those mood swings and weepiness that often hit a few days or weeks after childbirth. Hormones are running wild, and you seem to cry at the drop of a hat, or for no reason at all. But - if the baby blues stick around or never seem to get better, it might be time to chat with a therapist. Feeling persistently sad, anxious, having trouble sleeping even when you have the opportunity, or feeling extremely irritable can be signs of postpartum depression or anxiety, and professional support can help you navigate these emotions.
2. You feel apathy towards things you used to love:
The sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion of childbirth takes a while to recover from and life is never exactly the way it was since your baby arrived. You had a long list of hobbies and interests that sparked joy in your life and now you're feeling pretty indifferent towards them and it's hard to muster up the enthusiasm you once had. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed can be a sign of postpartum depression, and therapy can help reignite that passion and zest for life.
3. You feel overwhelmed and anxious:
Sure, motherhood comes with a host of new responsibilities and challenges. If you find yourself constantly overwhelmed and filled with anxiety, about everything from your baby getting sick to their sleep schedule to your sleep schedule, or about everything big and small, it might be time to talk to someone. Parenting doesn't come with a manual, and we all feel like we are winging it most of the time. However, therapy can provide you with valuable coping strategies and tools to navigate the stress and uncertainty that comes with being a new mom.
4. You’re struggling to bond:
You've envisioned this beautiful and instant bond with your baby, filled with love, snuggles, and endless cooing. But somehow, you're just not feeling that strong connection, and guilt starts creeping in. Please know that struggling with bonding is more common than you think, and seeking therapy can be a safe space to explore these feelings without judgment. A professional can help you work through these emotions and guide you towards building a beautiful bond with your baby.
5. Changes in appetite, sleep, and energy levels:
This one may seem funny, since sleep can disrupt your sleep and energy levels, but if you're experiencing significant changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and energy that don't seem to improve over time, it's worth discussing with a therapist. Postpartum mood disorders can manifest in various ways, and addressing these changes early can lead to a quicker road to recovery.
Therapy in postpartum can be tailored to suit your unique needs and schedule
Seeking therapy doesn't mean you're incapable or “can’t handle things on your own”. In fact, it takes strength and self-awareness to recognize when you might need extra support. Just like taking care of your physical health, mental health is essential too, especially during the transformative and messy postpartum period.
Therapy can be tailored to suit your unique needs and schedule. Whether it's in-person sessions, you bring your babe into session with you to play on our playmat while you talk, or a phone session or online therapy, or group support is more support, there are so many options available.
So, if you find yourself nodding along to any of these signs, reach out to a postpartum therapist and give yourself the gift of support and understanding. Remember, you're not alone, and there's no shame in asking for help. Motherhood is a wild ride, and you can get support along the way!
Get Connected
Thrive Therapy Santa Barbara offers support groups for new and expecting moms, both in person and virtually throughout the state of California. If you are pregnant or postpartum and live in Santa Barbara, reach out today.
We host in-person support groups in downtown Santa Barbara. We also offer telehealth therapy and postpartum support groups in California. These are led by a mental health therapist who has advanced training in perinatal mental health. Through community, conversations and, and a bit of courage, join in on our healing and supportive groups that will nurture your pregnancy and postpartum mental health.
Check out our current group offerings or reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation for individual therapy or group therapy in Santa Barbara. You can email us directly here: hello@thrivetherapysb.com
about thrive therapy
Thrive Therapy Santa Barbara is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and offers in person therapy in our mountain view office and telehealth sessions throughout the state of California.
Thrive holds significant meaning for us. To thrive means: to grow through the hard things we go through. And when paired with therapy, we can’t imagine a better way to describe the heart, grit and tenacity it takes to do the brave work of looking inward, gently and kindly unlearn, heal and hold space for the lived experiences we’ve journeyed through.
At Thrive Therapy we specialize in working with pregnancy + postpartum mental health, We support pregnant and postpartum moms and non birthing parents navigating postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS). Some clients reach out to navigate birth trauma, while others notice they are experiencing postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression or are struggling to synthesize the changes they are navigating and intergrate newfound parenthood into who they are today.
We also support individuals navigating disordered eating and body image, alongside anxiety, depression, grief and trauma.
We believe that therapy should feel inviting, warm and create a container to feel comfortable to open up. Enjoy a cup of a coffee or a la croix from our fridge, make yourself comfortable on our cozy white linen couch and enjoy our fiddle plants and neutral aesthetic as you sink into the moment and engage in your session.
Check out our current group offerings or reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation for individual therapy or group therapy in Santa Barbara, California. | hello@thrivetherapysb.com