Postpartum Depression in Los Angeles, Burbank, and Las Vegas

Peripartum depression is depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. The term peripartum takes into account that postpartum depression often begins during pregnancy. Peripartum depression is common, with 1 out of 7 new mothers suffering.

Warning Signs of Peripartum Depression:

1. Not sleeping when the baby sleeps.
2. Feeling overwhelmed.
3. Being unable to find joy in anything.
4. Crying spells.
5. Feeling hopeless or helpless.
6. Regrets about having a baby.
7. Worried about taking care of herself or the baby.
8. Preoccupations about harm to the baby, breastfeeding, or baby’s health even when doctor’s advice says otherwise.
9. Thoughts of harm to self or infant.
10. History of depression with the mother.
11. New mothers not taking or stopping medications for mental health.

Once identified, peripartum depression is treatable. Alleviating stress, identifying family or outside resources to lessen care burden, and adjusting to the “new baby” routine can be particularly helpful. Dr. Soroya Bacchus has special expertise in this area as a board-certified consultation liaison psychiatrist.

Medications can alleviate symptoms quickly, so psychotherapy techniques for coping and feeling better are learned and incorporated for relief from thought distortions, emotional nihilism, and management of difficult behaviors like insomnia.

There are new developments—medications on the horizon that are currently pending FDA approval. These drugs belong to a class of medications called neuroactive steroids that can resolve peripartum depression in as little as 14 days.