How Can Music Therapy Help Women Cope With Depression Following Childbirth?
It can be challenging for some women to decipher typical postpartum emotions from deep feelings of depression. Some women may experience the “baby blues” a few days following childbirth. If major depressive feelings persist that is a key sign that an individual may be experiencing the onset of postpartum depression (PPD).
Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition that can negatively impair a woman’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Although it can be challenging to manage postpartum depression, it may help if an individual breaks down different treatment options for continuous relief. For example, many women have found comfort after learning new coping skills through Restoration Recovery’s holistic music therapy program. It can be an enjoyable treatment option to help women cope with their emotions and gain overall happiness.
The Development of Postpartum Depression Following Childbirth
During pregnancy, a woman may experience different changes to their mind and body with each trimester. Although many women do not know what to expect with their first pregnancy, each pregnancy after that may come with different symptoms. A woman’s hormones may fluctuate, altering their mood. During pregnancy, a female’s body may also go through serious changes as well. Once a mother delivers her baby she may also experience changes following childbirth.
According to the Office on Women’s Health (OASH), if a woman experiences deep sadness, feels anxious, or is entirely overwhelmed for longer than two weeks she may have postpartum depression. The term postpartum can be defined as the stage following childbirth. Not everyone immediately feels connected to their baby after delivery, but those who feel completely withdrawn from their infant days following childbirth may have PPD.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression Following Childbirth
PPD is a mental health condition that negatively affects one’s physical and psychological well-being. It is common for a new mother to feel overloaded with parenthood at the very start, but it can be helpful for one to track their symptoms to best report them to a specialist if they persist. Not every new mother experiences the same symptoms, but common warning signs of postpartum depression following childbirth include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Experiencing mood shifts
- Eating less or more than usual
- Feeling shameful, guilty, or worthless
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Experiencing frequent crying spells
- Having a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed in the past
- Experiencing psychomotor retardation or agitation
- Withdrawing from close family and friends
- Experiencing thoughts of harming oneself or their baby
Postpartum Depression Statistics
Research indicates that approximately one in seven females develop postpartum depression following childbirth. Thus, PPD affects about 6.5% to 20% of women. Women who have the “baby blues” typically recover quickly, but the effects of postpartum depression usually last longer. The symptoms of PPD are generally more severe, negatively impairing various aspects of one’s life if left unmanaged. Those who deliver premature infants, adolescent females, and women living in urban areas are more likely to develop PPD. Hispanic mothers or African-American women have reported their symptoms to have started just two weeks following childbirth.
What Is Music Therapy?
Cochrane Library highlighted that a meta-analysis indicated that women with depression and anxiety receive short-term benefits from participating in music therapy. Findings have also shown that music therapy combined with treatment as usual (TAU), rather than treatment alone, improved depressive symptoms. This is a holistic type of intervention that is run by a qualified music therapist. The specialist hosts regular sessions to assist one with emotional expression to help improve their overall mood.
Those who pursue music therapy acquire the ability to effectively maintain certain activities, healthy relationships with loved ones, and successful work performance. Music therapy methods are generally active or receptive, meaning one plays or listens to music. The benefits of moving forward with music therapy following childbirth include:
- Improved quality of sleep
- A stronger sense of achievement
- Increased interest in past hobbies
- Improved ability to function
- Deeper bond with one’s infant
- Improved relationships with family and friends
Additional Benefits of Participating in Music Therapy Following Childbirth at Restoration Recovery
It can be challenging for one to cope with new motherhood, let alone the effects of postpartum depression. Not everyone agrees with the idea of solely treating PPD with prescription medications. Fortunately, Restoration Recovery prides itself in caring for those through holistic interventions. Holistic therapy comes with a range of unique treatment modalities to target an individual’s specific needs. Our holistic services are designed to be used with other treatment methods for an enhanced recovery.
Everyone deserves to heal and feel a healthy bond with their child. Music therapy helps target one’s mind, body, and spirit to help a new mother effectively cope. Many women who have participated in this holistic intervention have experienced benefits such as:
- Stronger sense of self-identity
- Increased self-confidence
- Higher self-esteem
- Reduced stress levels
- Decreased blood pressure
Substance addiction and mental illness can develop at any time during a person’s life. Only a qualified medical professional can diagnose a mental disorder of any kind. Many drug and alcohol addiction rehab programs are turning toward a “whole-body” (holistic) approach to recovery. Here at Restoration Recovery, our holistic therapies are rooted in bodywork and mindfulness practices. Our California recovery center provides a serene setting to help our clients achieve not just wellness, but wholeness. Each client is assessed when entering treatment to create a unique recovery plan based on individual needs. Call Restoration Recovery at (888) 290-0925 to learn more about how our music therapy program can provide support for postpartum depression.
