Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Center: Postpartum Mental Health Program
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Center’s Postpartum Mental Health Program. Our comprehensive care program is dedicated to supporting new mothers through the complex mental health challenges that can arise during the postpartum period. Understanding the importance of specialized care, we offer a range of services, including intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, medication management, and psychiatry, tailored specifically to the needs of those experiencing postpartum mental health issues.
Why Postpartum Mental Health Care Is Essential
Postpartum mental health issues can affect any new mother, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic background. These conditions often manifest due to a combination of hormonal changes, the psychological adjustment to motherhood, sleep deprivation, and the physical recovery from childbirth. The most recognized condition in this category is postpartum depression (PPD), but the spectrum also includes postpartum anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and in rare cases, postpartum psychosis.
Statistics from reputable sources indicate that postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 mothers, with many cases going undiagnosed and untreated. This underscores the critical need for accessible, specialized mental health care that can provide early intervention and comprehensive support.
The Importance of Getting Help
Untreated postpartum mental health issues can have long-lasting effects on the mother, the child, and the family unit as a whole. Early intervention is key to preventing more severe mental health issues and to promoting healthy development in infants. Recognizing the signs and seeking help early can significantly improve the prognosis for mothers experiencing postpartum mental health challenges.
Our programs at the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Center are designed to address these issues head-on, providing new mothers with the support, resources, and treatment they need to recover and thrive. Our specialized programs include:
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Designed for those who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy. IOP allows new mothers to receive comprehensive treatment during the day and return to their families in the evening, facilitating healing in the context of their daily lives.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Offering a higher level of care, PHP provides full-day support and treatment, ideal for those who require more intensive therapy and monitoring.
Medication Management: Our psychiatric team specializes in the careful management of medications that can alleviate the symptoms of postpartum mental health conditions, ensuring the safest and most effective treatment plan.
Psychiatry and Counseling: With a focus on personalized care, our psychiatrists and therapists work together to offer counseling and treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
Flexible, Accessible Care for New Mothers
Understanding the unique challenges faced by new mothers, we offer both virtual and in-person care options to provide maximum flexibility and accessibility. Our virtual programs make it possible for mothers to receive the support they need from the comfort of their homes, ideal for those who find it difficult to travel for in-person sessions.
Our in-person care is designed with the needs of new mothers in mind, offering a welcoming, supportive environment where they can receive treatment while feeling understood and validated.
FIND MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS NEAR YOU
Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Center
24/7 Mental Health Helpline: 610-563-2752
710 Wheatland Street
Suite 107
Phoenixville, PA 19460
6 Actions a Woman Can Take to Help With Postpartum Mental Health
Dealing with postpartum depression (PPD) can be incredibly challenging, but there are strategies that can help manage and alleviate symptoms. Here are six actions that can support women experiencing postpartum depression:
Seek Professional Help: The most crucial step is to seek help from healthcare professionals, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, or counselor who specializes in postpartum care. They can provide appropriate treatments such as counseling or medication.
Connect with Support Groups: Joining a support group for new mothers or those experiencing postpartum depression can be incredibly beneficial. Sharing experiences and advice with others who understand what you’re going through can provide comfort and practical coping strategies.
Prioritize Rest: Sleep deprivation can significantly worsen depression symptoms. It’s essential to seek help from partners, family, or friends to ensure you can get enough rest. Napping when the baby sleeps and seeking help with nighttime feedings can also be beneficial.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can boost mood and energy levels, thanks to the release of endorphins. Even gentle exercise like walking with the baby in a stroller, practicing postnatal yoga, or engaging in any moderate activity can make a difference.
Eat a Healthy Diet: Nutritious foods can impact mood and energy. While it’s tempting to rely on convenience foods when you’re exhausted, try to maintain a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein. Consider consulting a nutritionist for personalized advice.
Make Time for Yourself: Self-care is not selfish; it’s essential. Make time for activities or hobbies that relax you or make you happy. Whether it’s reading, taking a long bath, journaling, or practicing meditation, dedicating even a small amount of time each day to your wellbeing can have a significant positive impact.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, and acknowledging that you’re experiencing postpartum depression is a crucial first step toward recovery. Your health is important not just for you but for your baby as well.
Request to take Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
Studies show that postpartum depression (PPD) affects at least 10 percent of women and that many depressed mothers do not get proper treatment. These mothers might cope with their baby and with household tasks, but their enjoyment of life is seriously affected, and it is possible that there are long term effects on the family.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was developed to assist health professionals in detecting
mothers suffering from PPD; a distressing disorder more prolonged than the “blues” (which can occur in the first
week after delivery). The scale consists of 10 short statements. A mother checks off one of four possible answers that is closest to how she has felt during the past week. Most mothers easily complete the scale in less than five minutes.