Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a serious and under-recognized medical issue in new mothers. If diagnosed at the right time, it can easily be treated with Psychotherapy and Ketamine Therapy.
The Stats: A study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 1 in 8 women in the USA experience persistent low mood after childbirth, a characteristic manifestation of Postpartum Depression. However, the severity of the condition differs with every woman, depending on their age and ethnicity.
In this article, we will discuss the PPD ketamine treatments and innovative IV infusion therapy that can help young mothers overcome postpartum depression. There are various IV therapy clinics for people living in and around Salt Lake City that offers the best treatment for depression.
PPD — a chronic disease?
Women often face dilemmas after giving birth. A substantial drop in the level of hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and other thyroid hormones) along with physical changes is associated with the emotional spin-offs after delivery, better known as baby blues.
- Mood Swings
- Anxiety
- Reduced Concentration
- Irritability
- Loss of Appetite
- Loss of Sleep
The problem begins when women face prolonged baby blues; the symptoms intensify and last for a longer period. If the symptoms last 2 weeks or longer within 1 year of delivery, there are high chances of baby blues escalating to PPD.
Some added PPD symptoms include the thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, crying more than usual, amped up feelings of anger, losing the ability to function normally, etc.
If the above symptoms persist for periods longer than expected, then it becomes crucial to seek medical help. Untreated depression can further aggravate the risk of major trauma for not just the mother but the baby and family as well, disrupting their normal lives.
Therefore, the real catch of severity lies in assessing the polarity of Baby Blues and PPD. If done correctly and on time, it can save more lives than we can possibly envision.
When to Call a Doctor?
You may be hesitant or embarrassed to acknowledge that you’re depressed following the birth of your child. However, if you are experiencing any of the signs of baby blues or postpartum depression, you should contact your doctor and make an appointment.
Get a PPD diagnosis right away if you think you could be suffering from postpartum depression. This is especially crucial if you have suffered from depression or PPD in your past.
It is important to keep in mind that postpartum depression is a medical issue. It has nothing to do with your character, your ability as a mother, or your love for your child. So it has to be tackled in the same manner as any other health issue: you need treatment to get better.
Treatment of Postpartum Depression
Treatment of PPD depends on the severity of the condition. If diagnosed early, it can be treated with just psychotherapy, but, in a situation of high severity, medical professionals use a mix of psychotherapy and medication.
In certain situations, patients don’t respond to two or more doses of antidepressants, that’s when the doctors perform Ketamine Therapy.
Ketamine: An Overview
Ketamine was used as an anesthetic for animals in Belgium before the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for humans in 1970.
It was put to use in the Vietnam War for the treatment of injured soldiers on the battlefield. Later on, it caught the researcher’s attention and was used in the treatment of Depression in humans under a clinical and controlled setting.
Types of Ketamine Therapy
1. Nasal Spray or Esketamine
Approved by FDA in 2019, Esketamine or Spravato is depression-resistant. It is a promising treatment that is administered through the nasal route. Unlike other anti-depressants, Esketamine impacts brain cells faster by increasing the levels of glutamate, thereby allowing rapid relief.
2. Ketamine IV Infusion
It is a new treatment that was approved by FDA IN 2019. The treatment involves the use of Zulresso injection for intravenous infusion in the arm that reaches the patient’s bloodstream directly.
IV Infusion of Ketamine is not the first-line therapy, rather it is injected in the cases of high severity i.e. when anti-depressants have negligible or zero effects. The effect comes into play right after the injection and can last from days to weeks.
Now that we know the implications of PPD, it is easier to keep a check on new mothers so that their common Baby Blues don’t turn into PPD. The onset of the problem can be diagnosed at home by keeping a check on symptoms, after which the patient should necessarily seek medical help.
