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Postpartum depression has been in the news a lot lately because of the Lindsay Clancy trial. On January 24, 2023, Lindsay fatally strangled her three children—five-year-old Cora, three-year-old Dawson, and eight-month-old Callan at the family’s home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. She then attempted suicide by cutting her wrists and neck, then jumping from a second-story window. She lived but sustained severe injuries that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She repeatedly told friends and family she heard auditory hallucinations telling her to kill her children and that she was unable to stop herself. The trial ended in a hung jury. Her future rests on whether Plymouth County prosecutors decide to retry her or pursue a plea resolution. She will remain in custody and under psychiatric care at Tewksbury State Hospital, where she has been held since 2023. 

I’m not going to discuss this particular trial in this article, but instead, I’d like to talk about the realities of postpartum depression, especially in light of the many social media posts claiming postpartum depression is something a woman has to toughen up and get over. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, emotional, and anxiety-inducing events in a person’s life. It can be a wonderful time, but it’s important to understand the changes a woman’s body goes through are immense. Most new moms experience what’s known as the baby blues, which can include mood swings, crying for no reason, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. This is common and lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. 

Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is a serious medical condition that involves a woman’s brain and her physical health. It affects up to 1 in 7 women and can come on quickly and intensely, lasting many weeks and months—even up to a year after childbirth. After a woman gives birth, she experiences the single biggest hormonal crash in human biology. Estrogen and progesterone levels skyrocket during pregnancy, transitioning from ovarian production to heavy endocrine output by the developing placenta. Once the placenta is delivered after the baby is born, estrogen and progesterone levels plummet by up to 90% within the first 72 hours after childbirth triggering a massive physical and emotional whiplash. Think about it, if someone wanted to break a human down, what would they do? They would mess with the person’s routine. They would isolate them from others. They would disrupt the person’s diet. They would introduce sleep deprivation. These tactics are weapons of war used to break someone, yet after a woman has a baby, many of these physical and mental factors can come into play. 

Postpartum psychosis is an extremely severe form of postpartum depression that affects approximately 1 in 1,000 people after delivery. Symptoms include severe agitation, feelings of hopelessness, confusion, delusions, and hallucinations, rapid speech, and mania. This condition frequently resembles a first-onset bipolar episode triggered by sharp postpartum hormonal shifts. Women with this disorder show rapidly shifting moods from elation to disorientation and confusion. Delusional beliefs typically center on the newborn. Auditory hallucinations often instruct the mother to hurt or kill her infant. Because the risk for infanticide as well as suicide is so high, immediate emergency medical intervention is essential.

Doctors can’t pinpoint an exact cause of postpartum depression, however, research shows it results from a mix of physical, genetic, and emotional triggers as well as hormonal changes after delivery. Postpartum depression isn’t entirely preventable, but it helps to be aware of the symptoms and factors that can increase your risk. 

Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

• You feel sad, hopeless, worthless, and anxious
• You have no appetite and can’t sleep
• You cry for no reason
• You have trouble focusing
• You lack interest in your baby or you feel uneasy around your baby

In addition to these symptoms, you may feel uncomfortable about the physical changes in your body, stress about work-related pressures, or worry about changes in your relationships. 

Risks for developing postpartum depression may include:

• You have a family or personal struggles with depression, anxiety disorders, or postpartum depression
• You have relationship or martial conflicts
• You worry about your socioeconomic status
• You experienced pregnancy complications
• You have a baby with special needs
• You are younger than 20 or a single parent without a support network

Management and treatment

There is hope. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, treatment may include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines. Antidepressants help balance your brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that control your emotions, moods, and behavior. Keep in mind, antidepressants take at least two to four weeks to work completely. Stopping too soon could cause symptoms to return. Other forms of treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and joining a postpartum depression support group. Since postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness, it must be treated as a medical emergency. It can worsen rapidly, which puts the lives of both the baby and the mother in jeopardy. 

Don’t ignore your postpartum depression symptoms because you’re too ashamed or embarrassed to seek help. Postpartum depression is a real condition that doesn’t go away on its own. If left untreated, it could negatively impact your quality of life and strain your relationships. You may continue to have difficulty bonding with your baby, which can affect their development and growth. Without treatment, you may experience an increased risk of hurting yourself or suicide. 

Most people feel better with treatment. If you or someone you know is suffering postpartum depression, please reach out to us right away. Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness. At Wallace Family Therapy, we are trained to provide the most effective treatment that meets your individual needs and challenges. We’re here to help you.

Photo by Curated Lifestyle on Unsplash

Arm Your Child With Positive Body Image

Children are bombarded with images of what society deems as acceptable beauty standards. In fact, more than 60% of children ages 8 to 18 say they feel self-conscious about their bodies. There are many things parents can do to encourage a positive relationship with food, health, and body image with your child. 

Bodies change, and that’s a good thing. Remind your child that it’s normal for her body to change and grow as she gets older. Puberty brings on a lot of changes and can start as early as the age of 7. Her figure may fill out as her hips widen and she develops breasts. The best thing you can do is to reassure her that these changes are absolutely normal and that she is beautiful. Making her feel loved and accepted from an early age can help her navigate these natural changes before they begin to occur. 

Teasing is harmful. Studies have shown that weight-related teasing a child about her body and her weight happens more at home than at school. This results in low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, depression, and additional weight gain. Teasing your child about her weight should be avoided at all costs. Your child will encounter enough challenges as she grows and faces the world. Her home should always be a safe space where she can feel love and support.

Health is not solely based on weight. A healthy lifestyle is multifaceted and includes the proper amount of sleep, nutritious foods, exercise, and positive relationships. Introducing these elements can foster long-term health and mental and physical well-being that can last well into adulthood.

Food is nourishment. Shift your focus away from weight loss to how food energizes and nourishes the body. Encourage your family to eat a variety of foods according to their appetites. This includes occasional treats. Remember, no food is either good or bad. Try to keep regular mealtimes and snack times. Children and teens who are encouraged to follow their own hunger and fullness are able to adjust their own food intake to their body’s changing needs. 

You can’t protect your child from the pressures they’ll face navigating societal ideals around beauty, body shapes, and acceptable weight. By talking positively about body image, weight, and food at an early age, you can arm your child with healthy attitudes toward her own changing body. 

If you have questions or need suggestions on how to talk to your child about body image in a positive way, we can help you. At Wallace Family Therapy, we are trained to provide the most effective treatment that meets your individual needs and challenges. Please reach out to us. We’re here to help you.