Postpartum Depression

You wake up exhausted before the day even begins.

Your baby needs you, the laundry is piling up, messages are going unanswered, and even taking a shower can feel like another item on an endless to-do list.

People ask how the baby is doing. But hardly anyone asks how you're doing.

Maybe you smile and say, "We're doing great," even though you're struggling inside.

You might find yourself thinking:

"Why am I not happier?"

"I wanted this baby. Why is this so hard?"

"Everyone else seems to be handling motherhood better than I am."

"I don't feel like myself anymore."

You may notice:

Persistent sadness or frequent crying

Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected

Losing interest in things you once enjoyed

Feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities

Irritability or anger that seems unlike you

Difficulty connecting with your baby

Feeling guilty or inadequate as a mother

Withdrawing from friends or family

Changes in appetite

Difficulty sleeping even when you have the opportunity

Feeling hopeless about whether things will get better

Sometimes postpartum depression doesn't even feel like sadness.

It can look like anger, resentment, emotional exhaustion, or wanting everyone to leave you alone.

However it shows up, you don't have to struggle silently.

There isn't one single cause of postpartum depression.

Instead, several factors can come together during the postpartum period.

Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, previous anxiety or depression, a difficult pregnancy or delivery, limited support, relationship stress, financial pressures, breastfeeding challenges, pregnancy loss history, or having expectations of motherhood that don't match reality can all contribute.

For some women, there's also a painful loss of identity.

Before having a baby, you may have been a professional, partner, friend, athlete, traveler, or simply someone who had control over her own schedule.

Now your days may revolve around feeding, diapers, sleep schedules, and someone else's needs.

You can be incredibly grateful for your baby while also grieving parts of your previous life.

Both can be true.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the evidence-based approaches we use to help women experiencing postpartum depression.

CBT focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Postpartum depression can create harsh internal messages such as:

"A good mother should be able to handle this."

"Everyone else is doing better than me."

"If I need help, I'm failing."

"My baby deserves a better mother."

These thoughts can feel completely true when you're depressed, but feelings aren't always facts.

Through CBT, we'll work together to recognize these patterns and develop more realistic, compassionate ways of thinking.

We'll also focus on practical behavioral changes that support recovery: reconnecting with meaningful activities, strengthening routines, asking for support, setting realistic expectations, and gradually creating space for your needs again.