Conditions & Diseases: Psychological & Mental Health

Depression

Postpartum Depression Treatment

The treatment includes several options such as medication, psychotherapy and support groups. The best results are achieved when the patient follows a recovery plan that includes all the three treatment options.

1. Medication: The most common types of medication administered in postpartum depression patients is antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Some of the antidepressants prescribed to treat postpartum depression include: Amitriptyline (Elavil), Desipramine, Norpramin, Imipramine, pamoate (Tofranil-PM), Nortriptyline (Pamelor), Clomipramine (Anafranil), Bupropion (Wellbutrin),Venlafaxine (Effexor), Nefazodone (Serzone), Mirtazapine (Remeron). The most common side effects of the antidepressant medication include: constipation, sedation, weight gain, orthostatic hypotension, blurred vision, and dry mouth.
   - The serotonin reuptake inhibitors prescribed to treat depression include: Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paroxetine (Paxil). The most common side effects of this type of medication include: headache, nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, sedation, insomnia, and tremor.

2. Psychotherapy: There are two major forms of psychotherapies that have proved to be effective in treating postpartum depression: (1) interpersonal therapy and (2) marital counseling. Interpersonal therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the patient’s interpersonal relationship and role changing, while marital counseling focuses on solving marital/couple conflicts.

3. Support group: A support group offers the comfort of shared experiences among people with the same affliction. It also provides educational and emotional support by decreasing the person’s sense and feelings of isolation.

Article by Alina Morrow,
MS Psychology
OmniMedicalSearch.com
Depression Bibliography