Although it's not as well documented as postpartum depression, post-adoption depression syndrome (PADS) is not uncommon: In a 2012 study from Purdue University, between 18 and 26 percent of adoptive mothers (depending on the screening scale) reported depressive symptoms within the first year of bringing home a new baby or child. (Rates for the small number of adoptive fathers also surveyed were similar.)
Read MoreYou know the saying, “You can never have too much of a good thing?” Yeah, I’m not a fan of that one, because too much of pretty much anything isn’t good. And as a new or expectant mom, this is particularly true when it comes to information. And while that’s great for many things, it can also make it very difficult to separate the good information from the bad. And when bad information circulates without correction, some potentially harmful myths can seem to turn into facts.
Read MoreA year ago, I decided to seek help from a therapist. I never thought about therapy before. I never thought I needed it. I had feelings buried deep inside me at the pit of my core for years that I never talked about, but that's where they lived, and I was okay with that—or so I thought.
Read MoreIf you think you are struggling with symptoms of prenatal depression, please know that there is hope and help! Counseling treatment has been shown to reduce prenatal depression symptoms and prevent the development of postpartum depression following the birth of a child. Counseling can allow you navigate your feelings and expectations around becoming a parent, help create a healthy and supportive environment for your child, allow you to develop coping skills for stress and anxiety, and manage stress and relational conflicts.
Read MoreWorrying as a mother is a natural instinct! In fact, it is often shrugged off as normal by many health care providers because everyone expects new noms to experience heightened fears or anxiety to some extent. But when it begins to feel crippling, excessive, or even toxic, this type of intrusive new mom worry can be a sign of postpartum anxiety.
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