Postpartum Depression
The arrival of a new baby is often portrayed as a time of joy and fulfillment, but for many women, this isn't always the case. If you're feeling overwhelmed, sad, or disconnected for weeks and months after childbirth, you may be experiencing postpartum depression. At New Directions Psychiatry PLLC, we offer compassionate care and support for women facing postpartum depression. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Whitney Gilley has extensive professional training and experience in working with patients with postpartum depression. She is here to help you overcome this challenging period and find renewed hope.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health condition that affects many new mothers. It is not a reflection of weakness or failure as a parent but rather a result of the significant hormonal, physical, and emotional changes and stresses that occur during and after childbirth. Postpartum depression can make bonding with your baby challenging and disrupt day-to-day functioning. Untreated, it can have significant impacts on both mother and baby.
Approximately 1 in 9 new mothers experience postpartum depression
Symptoms of PPD
Recognizing the symptoms of postpartum depression is crucial for seeking appropriate treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing several of the following symptoms within the year after childbirth, it may be an indication of postpartum depression:
Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed or feeling unable to experience joy or pleasure as before
Significant changes in appetite and weight
Sleep changes such as insomnia or excessive sleep
Fatigue or loss of energy
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
Feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, or excessive guilt
Restlessness or irritability
Withdrawal from loved ones and loss of interest in social activities
Recurrent thoughts of death
Thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming the baby
It's important to remember that postpartum depression symptoms can vary from person to person, and not everyone experiences them in the same way. If you think you may be depressed, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Treating depression is crucial not only for quality of life, but for you and your baby’s overall health.
When to get emergency help:
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, get help from your partner, friends, or family in looking after the baby and call 911 or call your local crisis service, or go to your nearest emergency department.
If you are concerned someone else is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, do not leave the person alone without someone to stay with them. Call 911 or local emergency services immediately or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency department if you can do so safely.
You can get help for suicidal thoughts or information to help a loved one in crisis by calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is free and available 24/7. Website: Talk To Someone Now : Lifeline (988lifeline.org)
Other resources, including state-specific resources for Kentucky and Tennessee and National hotlines for a variety of mental concerns can be found here: Resources Page.
Postpartum depression is a treatable condition, and seeking professional help is crucial for your well-being and the well-being of your baby. Postpartum depression is not a condition that we encourage a "wait and see" approach. Early intervention is important.
If you are experiencing worsening or persistent depression symptoms, or your symptoms make it hard to complete day-to-day tasks or care for your baby, please talk to your doctor or mental health professional. Seek emergency help if you are having thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby.
Treatment Options for Postpartum Depression
Counseling and Therapy
Treatment of PPD includes talk therapy to help with understanding and managing depressive thoughts and feelings. Dr. Gilley offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma focused therapies, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and integrative therapies and counseling for depression treatment, with or without antidepressants.
Medication
For certain patients, antidepressant medication may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms and facilitate progress in therapy. Getting the right medicine for depression is critical. Dr. Gilley has specialist-level expertise in medication and will discuss with you in detail your options. How long a medication is taken depends on your symptoms and any prior episodes of depressed mood.
Holistic Approaches
Combined with therapy, activities to help boost mood, nutrition that supports our body in healing, and quality sleep are important in depression treatment. Practicing stress reduction and relaxation techniques can significantly impact your mood and overall wellbeing. By approaching your care from a whole-person perspective, Dr. Gilley believes that treatment can be optimized to fit your individual needs and goals.
Other Interventions
Occasionally, other options may be discussed as part of your treatment plan. Even though interventional treatments such as IV brexanolone (Zulresso®), IV ketamine, intranasal esketamine (Spravato®), and TMS are not offered by New Directions Psychiatry, Dr. Gilley is comfortable discussing whether these would be a beneficial part of your depression treatment. Understand all of your depression treatment options.
Why Choose New Directions Psychiatry PLLC for Postpartum Depression Treatment?
Expertise:
Dr. Gilley is a medical doctor Board Certified in Psychiatry. Specialists in psychiatry have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating postpartum depression. Dr. Gilley is trained in both formal talk therapy and medication treatment options for depression. She stays up-to-date with the latest research and treatment modalities.
Individualized Care:
We understand that each person's experience with postpartum depression is unique. Dr. Gilley takes a personalized approach to your care and tailors treatment around your specific needs and goals. Because she offers both therapy and medication options and stays up-to-date on other interventions for postpartum depression, such as IV brexanolone (Zulresso®) and TMS, she understands the full range of treatment options. This allows you to discuss different options and help you decide on the best treatment for you.
Treatment Options in Breastfeeding
Getting treatment for postpartum depression does not mean you have to stop breastfeeding. Dr. Gilley works with women who are breastfeeding, as well as those who could not breastfeed or who decided they did not wish to breastfeed. In each case, she discusses the pros and cons of each individualized treatment option with you, so you can choose the option that best fits your and your family’s goals.
Trauma-informed Care:
Beginning with the critical understanding that any patient that comes to us for care may have a history of trauma, New Directions Psychiatry PPC cultivates a safe, healing environment. Dr. Gilley collaborates with you throughout the course the course of your care. She is responsive to patient concerns and adapts treatment to fit your individual needs.
Care That Empowers Patients:
Dr. Gilley believes in empowering patients with education about their condition and treatment options. She provides counseling about depression, which evidence-based therapies are most often used for the treatment of depression, and medication options. She counsels patients on the risks and benefits of treatment(s), so that patients can make informed decisions about their care. Dr. Gilley involves you in every treatment decision.
A Whole-Person Approach:
Dr. Gilley believes in the power of a multi-faceted approach to depression treatment to help patients achieve long-term well-being. She considers individual factors that can include non-psychiatric health conditions and medications, nutrition, daily activities, family history or genetics, and prior treatment effects and experiences. To gain a greater sense of who you are as a person, Dr. Gilley makes it a priority to understand your needs, stressors, supports, goals, and values.
More Time with your Doctor:
It requires time to provide quality care for depression. Visits are never scheduled for less than 30 minutes. Initial appointments are typically around 90 minutes—all directly with your doctor. As a psychotherapy-oriented practice, most therapy sessions are 50 minutes and weekly therapy is an option. When you call, Dr. Gilley is the one to return your phone call.
Compassionate Support:
Dr. Gilley is committed to providing a supportive, non-judgmental environment where you can feel safe discussing your concerns and receiving the care you deserve. She is available for concerns and returns patient calls herself.
Convenient:
New Directions Psychiatry PLLC offers flexible appointment scheduling including Saturday therapy options. You don’t have to leave your home or office to receive physician specialty care for depression.
Confidential:
New Directions Psychiatry PLLC is a small, private psychiatry practice. It is not part of any large medical group, community health system, or hospital system. Visits are strictly confidential to ensure your comfort and privacy. New Directions Psychiatry PLLC does not hire billers, coders, schedulers, or administrative staff. Your physician takes care of these duties. Because this practice does not bill insurance, you can have more control over your personal information. See Why don't you take insurance?
Don't let postpartum depression hold you back from living a fulfilling life. Dr. Gilley is here to support you in your journey toward healing. Take the first step by scheduling an appointment today.
References and Resources
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2023) Postpartum Depression: FAQ https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/postpartum-depression. Accessed 7/31/2023.
Postpartum depression. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression. Accessed 7/27/2023.
National Institute of Mental Health. Perinatal Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression. Accessed 7/31/2023.
Cleveland Clinic. Diseases and Conditions: Postpartum depression https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depression. Accessed 7/31/2023.
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
The Mental Health Resource Page includes a list of state resources in Kentucky and Tennessee, and a list of national hotlines related to mental health and wellbeing.
Whitney Gilley, MD. Articles related to Postpartum Depression care: