When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.
– Sophia Loren
IS COUNSELING RIGHT FOR ME? Do you feel sad, anxious or irritable? Do you struggle with eating or sleeping regularly? Did you expect to feel more connected once the baby arrived? Are you having upsetting thoughts that won’t leave your mind? Have you had previous traumas that now feel very real and present? Does the thought of or actual experience of parenthood seem much different from what you expected?
As much as you may feel shameful for feeling this way, you are not alone. Parenthood does not always represent the perfect picture that it is painted out to be. Becoming a parent is hard. We know this through our own experiences and from the research. We know that 1 in 7 moms and 1 in 10 dads suffer from Postpartum Depression. Although this is typically referred to as Postpartum Depression, there are many different forms of this illness including: Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum OCD, Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Postpartum Psychosis. Many women are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
DOES COUNSELING WORK? With support, you can fully recover from these symptoms. Research has shown that with informed treatment, parents get better. Treatment is based on your individual needs, with a special emphasis on strengthening the important relationships in your life. There is also a special emphasis on coordination of care, with the understanding that many different approaches to treatment may be helpful.
WHY SHOREPOINTE? At Shorepointe, we have treatment-informed clinicians that support individuals and families with a range of issues ranging from common life guidance to severe disorders and crises. Relationships are extremely important to us, which is why we value responsiveness and flexibility while also being direct and warm with reassuring approaches to provide clients with the tools needed to empower themselves. With PMAD you will be treated by a specialist in Perinatal Mood Disorders as well as in Infant Mental Health and through this, will get the support you need. When a parent’s needs are met, they are better able to support the needs of their baby, child and partner.
HELPFUL LINKS
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Postpartum Support International Helplines
Request an Appointment Today.