Northern Virginia and Washington DC Postpartum Depression, New Mothers Counseling and Therapy for Pregnant Women convenient to Warrenton, Manassas and Fairfax, VA

Postpartum Depression (The "Baby Blues")
For every new mother having a baby is a challenging time, both physically and emotionally. After having a baby, many women experience an array of strong emotions, from excitement and happiness to apprehension and anxiety. The birth of a new baby can also result in something most people might not expect - depression.

Many new mothers go through a mild case of the baby blues following childbirth, and in many instances this passes with time. Sometimes these baby blues are more significant and don't subside. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that approximately 10 percent of new mothers experience some form of postpartum depression - a form of depression that develops within the first six months after childbirth. Mothers who have postpartum depression experience feelings such as sadness, anxiety and nervousness, sometimes these are strong enough to make even the most basic of daily tasks difficult.

If you're depressed, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms, feel like yourself again and enjoy the new baby in your life.

Depression During Pregnancy: Counseling for Expecting Mothers
Pregnancy is expected to be one of the happiest times of a woman's life, but for many pregnant women this is a time of anxiety, confusion, stress and even depression. Depression is a mood disorder that affects approximately 1 in 4 women at some point in their life, so it's no surprise that it can also affect women who are pregnant.

Some of the symptoms expecting mothers with depression experience include:

            Persistent sadness, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness
            Difficulty concentrating
            Sleeping too little or too much
            Loss of interest in activities that you usually enjoy
            Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
            Change in eating habits

Depression can be treated and managed during pregnancy - first step of seeking out help and support.
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Life Enrichment Counseling Center offers counseling, therapy and support groups for both pregnant women and new mothers. Our Antepartum and Postpartum Depression services are facilitated by Kimberly Ragan, MSW, LCSW who has previously worked with expecting and new mothers for the well-respected Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences with the Emory University Women's Mental Health Program.

Please call (703) 754-0636 for more information.