TMS for Postpartum Depression
Healing from TMS for Postpartum Depression
Imagine the surprise. You have been thrilled since the day you learned you were expecting your first baby. You celebrated the upcoming birth with your spouse, friends, and family. All those cute new little baby clothes were tucked neatly into the drawers, the crib was assembled, and stacks of diapers filled the closet. But with all the giddy anticipation of your new baby’s arrival, you had absolutely no idea of the emotional meltdown you would experience once he or she finally arrived.
All new mothers have to endure a period of sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and frayed nerves in the early days after childbirth. Fragile emotions that can give way to crying jags are also common. But in your case, it isn’t just the routine “baby blues” that you have, you are certain of that. In fact, the severity of depression you are experiencing is deeply concerning to you. Learn here about postpartum depression and what treatments options are available.
What is Postpartum Depression?
When feelings of sadness, despair, and debilitating fatigue fail to resolve during the early weeks after having a baby, it is possible the mother is suffering from postpartum depression. This common form of depression afflicts one in seven new mothers, according to the American Psychological Association. This serious medical condition can be brought on by the dramatic change in female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Feelings of being overwhelmed combined with lack of quality sleep can lead to anxiety and self-doubt about your ability to manage motherhood.
The symptoms of postpartum disorder may include:
- Severe mood swings
- Impaired ability to concentrate
- Thoughts of hurting the baby
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability and angry outbursts
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Crushing fatigue
- Feeling worthless and incompetent
- Feelings of sadness and despair
- Losing interest in daily activities
- Excessive Crying
- Avoiding friends and family
- Loss of appetite or eating more than normal
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of suicide
The symptoms may appear soon after delivery of the baby, or could appear months after. In most cases, postpartum disorder can last for several weeks to months if not treated.
Treatment for Postpartum Depression
Treatment for postpartum depression is the same as for major depressive disorder. Treatment includes a combination of psychotherapy, or talk therapy, and antidepressants, anti-psychotics, and mood stabilizers. However, certain medications should not be used if breastfeeding a baby, such as anti-psychotics. There is also concern among new mothers about taking antidepressants or any psychotropic medications.
In fact, these medications are not effective in treating the symptoms of postpartum depression in 30-50% of women who are prescribed them. In addition, these medications are usually accompanied by side effects that may be intolerable, leading many to discontinue the drug therapy regimen. These side effects include weight gain, fatigue, loss of interest in sex, blurred vision, constipation, and nausea.
TMS for Postpartum Depression
If antidepressants fail to produce relief from the postpartum depression symptoms, or if the mother does not feel comfortable taking them while breastfeeding, there is another excellent treatment option. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for postpartum depression is a safe and effective alternative treatment option that requires no sedation or medication. You are fully alert during the treatment sessions and can return home to resume regular activities following the sessions, with no down time needed.
TMS works by using targeted electromagnetic fields to the limbic region, or mood center, of the brain. The magnetic pulses are delivered through a coil that is position over the scalp, and the repetitive magnetic pulses convert to electrical currents that then stimulate, or wake up, the dormant brain cells commonly associated with depression. Over the 4-6 week treatment period, these treatments help reset the brain chemistry which then results in improvements in mood, sleep quality, concentration, and energy.
Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry for Postpartum Depression Treatment
Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry specializes in treating major depressive disorder using TMS technology. Our compassionate TMS professionals understand the fragile emotional state a new mother might be in, and are here to help you overcome postpartum depression. Many nursing mothers are not comfortable taking antidepressants, so TMS therapy might be a viable treatment option. For more information about TMS for postpartum depression, please contact Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry today at (888) 503-1549.
