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 MoreTrue stories of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders show how these common conditions can feel different than you expect.
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 MoreThere are a variety of effected and well researched counseling treatments and interventions that have been shown to reduce the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety. Many of these treatments involve providing mothers with practical support and strategies for managing problems that may arise during the postpartum period (such as sleep deprivation and crying). Here are some more specifics!
Read More
