Click here to read more about accessing help via online or telephone support.
Researchers at the University of Exeter, England have shown that postpartum depression (called postnatal depression in the UK) can be treated effectively using online therapy.
Rates of postpartum depression are high — between 10 to 30 percent of mothers are affected — but many women don’t seek help partly due to practical reasons. The study found that the women who received the internet based treatment reported better results for depression, work and social impairment, and anxiety scores immediately after they had received the treatment. They also reported better results for depression six months after treatment.
The study lead researcher, Dr. Heather O’Mahen, said that the results, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, “indicate that such an internet-based facility for treatment could have a positive effect on postnatal depression as a whole, providing new mums with support at times which are convenient to them and allowing them to complete a course of therapy”.
She added: “Our hope is that this will allow more women to access and benefit from support, with all the knock-on positives that come from that: happier families, improved quality of life for mums”.
Many new mothers prefer therapy over drug-based solutions, especially if they are breastfeeding, but many women find it hard to access traditional clinic or office-based therapy due to issues such as transportation, childcare, variable feeding and nap times, which all conspire to make it hard to keep appointments. It is critical to provide new mothers with treatments that work for them.
Dr. Allen offers online or telephone sessions to make it more convenient for pregnant and new moms to get specialist help.
Click here to read more about accessing help via online or telephone support.
If you would like to know more about symptoms and treatment click below to read my blog post click this link The Facts About Pregnancy & Postpartum Anxiety.
If you want to read more about maternal mental health download the FREE Guide To Pregnancy & Postpartum Stress, Anxiety & Depression. It is full of information about symptoms, different types of maternal mood disorders and advice about what to do to start feeling like yourself again.
Dr. Sarah Allen has 20+ years experience as a psychologist helping women transition to being the mom they want to be. She is also the Director of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of IL, a non-profit offering info and support to pregnant and postpartum moms and their families.
In her Northbrook office, in the North Suburbs of Chicago, or via telephone or online counseling she offers the most convenient way for you to access support and help.
If you have questions after reading this article or the Guide To Pregnancy & Postpartum Stress, Anxiety & Depression or have any questions about how counseling can be useful to your particular circumstances please contact me at 847 791-7722 or on the form below.