Mood Disorders
Does your worry wake you at night? Do you have panic attacks? Do you have trouble concentrating? Do you cry every day? Do you no longer enjoy activities that once gave you pleasure? Do you have low self-esteem? Do you feel hopeless? Do you feel empty? Do you feel tired all the time? Do you have trouble paying attention or focusing? Does everybody expect you to feel happy all the time since having your baby?
You are not alone and you are not to blame. We can help.
Anxiety: Using proven cognitive behavioral techniques, we can help you change the way you think, which will change the way you feel. We will help you uncover and modify your self-defeating beliefs, which may reduce your level of anxiety. We will help you develop behavioral techniques and relaxation skills that will help you cope with your panic symptoms.
Postpartum Depression: Constance is a member of the Provider Panel for the Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Perinatal Depression Program and a professional member of MedEdPPD. She has years of experience working with women experiencing Postpartum Depression or “PPD”. She can help you assess if you are experiencing PPD or just have the “baby blues.”
Baby Blues occur in about 60-80% of all new mothers. The symptoms usually start within a week of delivery and may last up to 4 weeks but usually go away on their own. The symptoms may include:
- Moodiness
- Weepiness
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Lack of concentration
- Feelings of dependency
Postpartum Depression occurs in only 10-20% of new mothers. The symptoms may begin any time in the first year after delivery and may not go away without treatment. The symptoms may include:
- Sadness lasting more than a few weeks
- Excessive crying
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Low self-esteem
- Excessive worry or anxiety
- Irritability or short temper
- Loss of confidence
- Mood swings
- Unable to laugh or smile
- Not wanting to play with your baby
- Trouble paying attention or making decisions; lack of focus
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feelings of guilt
- Hopelessness
- Sleep problems (cannot sleep or sleeps too much)
- Excessive fatigue
- Changes in appetite; significant weight loss or gain
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
- Strange visions
- Scary fantasies
