Postpartum depression is a highly treatable illness. Over 65 percent of depressed moms will get better with counseling or psychotherapy. The same percentage of moms will respond to antidepressant medicine (PPD hope, n.d.). A form of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven effective as antidepressants and for less severe cases of postpartum depression (Healthwise, 2008). The most common form of treatment is with depression medicine. There are a variety of types of medicines available. The most frequently prescribed is called norepinephrine and serotonin. However, this medicine does come with risks. The FDA warns that babies exposed to certain medications used to treat depression may be at greater risk of developing birth defects. In December, 2005 the FDA reports that, “Early results show that the depression drug Paxil increases the risk of birth defects, particularly heart defects, when women take it during the first 3 months of pregnancy” (Babyzone, n.d.). These work by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain. One of the reasons it is crucial to seek treatment right away is because the medicine can take 2-3 weeks to start working. It is crucial for mother to get diagnosed immediately so the symptoms do not
Postpartum depression is a highly treatable illness. Over 65 percent of depressed moms will get better with counseling or psychotherapy. The same percentage of moms will respond to antidepressant medicine (PPD hope, n.d.). A form of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven effective as antidepressants and for less severe cases of postpartum depression (Healthwise, 2008). The most common form of treatment is with depression medicine. There are a variety of types of medicines available. The most frequently prescribed is called norepinephrine and serotonin. However, this medicine does come with risks. The FDA warns that babies exposed to certain medications used to treat depression may be at greater risk of developing birth defects. In December, 2005 the FDA reports that, “Early results show that the depression drug Paxil increases the risk of birth defects, particularly heart defects, when women take it during the first 3 months of pregnancy” (Babyzone, n.d.). These work by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain. One of the reasons it is crucial to seek treatment right away is because the medicine can take 2-3 weeks to start working. It is crucial for mother to get diagnosed immediately so the symptoms do not