Warwick mental health counselor addresses Postpartum Depression

WARWICK — It’s not just the “Baby Blues.”

Both Mother’s Day and the fact that May is Postpartum Depression Awareness Month have prompted Devon Donohue, a licensed Mental Health Counselor, to call attention to this serious issue.

“Pregnancy and childbirth are expected to be one of the happiest times in one’s life,” said Donohue, “but many women can be caught off guard by the thoughts and feelings that can accompany this milestone.”

Depressed, difficulties, disorder

Donohue, whose private practice is New Hope Counseling at 12 Oakland Ave., explained that new mothers might find themselves feeling uncommonly anxious. They can be depressed to the point of having difficulty functioning, crying all the time, fearful of hurting their infant either by accident or intentionally, questioning whether they are a good mother, or developing eating disorder symptoms.

“To make matters worse,” she said, “they are then paralyzed by guilt and shame because they think they should be happy.”

Postpartum Support International, an organization leading the way in bringing awareness and support to mothers who experience these and other symptoms, estimates that 15 to 20 per cent of women experience symptoms of postpartum depression.

“Often people try to normalize a mother’s feelings by assuming it’s just the baby blues,” said Donohue, “But there’s nothing normal about postpartum depression and far too many women suffer in silence and shame about thoughts they don’t understand.”

‘Enjoying their baby’ However, according to Donohue, the good news is that these conditions are treatable and a mother can begin to experience at least some relief almost immediately once she gets connected to the right supports. The earlier treatment is sought, the sooner healing can begin.

Usually some combination of individual counseling, support groups, medication, infant care support via a postpartum nurse, and family support are most effective.

Donohue particularly enjoys working with women experiencing difficulties during the transition to motherhood. She offers individual and group treatment to help women understand their symptoms, teach them skills to deal with them and helps them identify and access supports that will aid in their process of recovery.

“In a short time,” she said, “most are feeling better and living life with a greater sense of peace and confidence, and most importantly, enjoying their baby.”

For additional information or to schedule an appointment at New Hope Counseling call 845-986-9499.

- Roger Gavan