Postpartum Depression: What Every Mom Should Know (and What You Can Do About It)

By Dr. Lauren Chase, PhD, LCMHC, PMH-C
Founder of Climbing Hills Counseling | Virtual therapy for moms in NC, SC, and FL

Motherhood changes everything: your body, your relationships, your identity, your energy, your sleep, and your sense of self. Some of those changes are beautiful and deeply meaningful. Others are confusing, exhausting, and heavy. If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Is this just the baby blues or something more?” you are not alone.

As a therapist who specializes in working with women and mothers, I’ve walked alongside many women who describe this exact feeling: joy and love for their baby mixed with a deep sadness, irritability, or sense of disconnection that they cannot quite shake.

Let’s talk about what postpartum depression really looks like, how to recognize it, and what you can do to start feeling like yourself again.

Understanding Postpartum Depression

It is completely normal to feel emotional after giving birth. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the sheer intensity of caring for a newborn can bring about what is often called the “baby blues.”

For many moms, this includes tearfulness, mood swings, and fatigue that resolve within two weeks.

Postpartum depression, however, lasts longer and runs deeper. It is not a character flaw or a sign that you are a bad mom. It is a medical and psychological condition that deserves attention and treatment, just like any other health concern.

Warning Signs of Postpartum Depression

Every woman’s experience is unique, but here are some common signs that what you are experiencing might be more than the baby blues:

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or tearfulness lasting more than two weeks
• Feeling disconnected from your baby or having trouble bonding
• Loss of interest or pleasure in things that once brought joy
• Irritability, anger, or frustration that feels out of proportion
• Overwhelming guilt or shame, feeling like you are failing or not a good mom
• Racing thoughts or anxiety about your baby’s safety, health, or your adequacy
• Changes in sleep or appetite beyond what is expected with a newborn
• Fatigue or exhaustion that feels paralyzing, even with rest
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of self-harm or that your family would be better off without you

If you notice several of these signs, especially if they have persisted for two weeks or longer, it is time to reach out for support.

What You Can Do Starting Today

1. Talk to a Professional

You do not have to figure this out alone. Reach out to a mental health provider trained in perinatal mental health (look for the PMH-C credential).
Therapy provides a safe space to explore what is happening beneath the surface: the emotions, fears, and pressures that often get dismissed in everyday conversations.

If you are in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Florida, I specialize in helping moms navigate the emotional ups and downs of motherhood. We work together to reduce anxiety, rebuild confidence, and help you reconnect with yourself in this new season.

Learn more about my therapy services at climbinghillscounseling.com.

2. Lean on Your Support System

Isolation can make symptoms worse. Reach out to someone you trust, such as your partner, a close friend, or a family member, and tell them how you have been feeling.
It is okay to ask for specific help, such as:

• “Can you watch the baby while I rest or take a shower?”
• “Can you come sit with me today? I just need company.”
• “Can you help me find a therapist who works with postpartum depression?”

3. Connect with Postpartum Support Resources

There are excellent national organizations that provide free, confidential help:

• Postpartum Support International (PSI): Call or text 1-800-944-4773 for support and local referrals
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-852-6262 (TLC-MAMA) 24/7 for emotional support
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: If you ever feel unsafe or hopeless, call or text 988 for immediate help

These resources are available anytime and are staffed by people who understand what you are going through.

4. Take Gentle Steps Toward Rebalancing

When you are depressed or anxious, even small tasks can feel enormous. Healing often begins with small, intentional actions, such as:

• Going outside for five minutes of fresh air
• Eating something nourishing
• Taking one short nap instead of trying to “catch up on everything”
• Writing down what you are feeling without judgment
• Reminding yourself that this season is temporary and you will not feel this way forever

You Are Not Alone and You Are Not Broken

Motherhood is a season of profound transformation emotionally, physically, and mentally.
If you are struggling right now, it does not mean you are failing. It means you are human, and your system is asking for care and support.

With the right help, moms recover from postpartum depression every day. You can too.

Recommended Resources

Books

• Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman
• The Postpartum Husband by Karen Kleiman
• This Isn’t What I Expected by Karen Kleiman and Valerie Raskin
• The Motherhood Complex by Melissa Hogan
• Down Came the Rain by Brooke Shields

Podcasts

• The Momwell Podcast
• The Therapy for Moms Podcast
• Motherhood Meets Medicine
• The Balanced Parent Podcast
• The Postpartum Push Podcast

Ready to Talk

If you are a mom in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Florida navigating postpartum depression, anxiety, or the mental load of motherhood, I would be honored to walk beside you.

Learn more or schedule a consultation at climbinghillscounseling.com

Phone: 336-600-4455
Email: lauren@climbinghillscounseling.com

Let’s help you find your footing again, one step at a time.