What it’s like to Have Postpartum Depression in Rural America

June 9, 2017

According to Postpartum Support International, women may become depressed at any time during the first year after giving birth. While the exact cause is unknown, stressors, such as hormonal fluctuations, sleep deprivation and lack of social support, may contribute to this mental health disorder. Symptoms include feelings of sadness, anxiety and irritability. Depressed mothers may also have difficulty bonding with their babies, and in severe cases, they may think of harming themselves. Many new mothers are never diagnosed with this childbirth complication, and only 15 percent of women receive treatment.

Reaching out for psychological help is challenging for many mothers. Balancing the multiple demands of new motherhood often makes it impossible to find time for psychotherapy. For women living in small towns or rural areas, finding help can be even more overwhelming.

“Women living in rural areas have limited access to postpartum resources, such as psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and support groups,” says Karen Kleiman, founder and director of the Postpartum Stress Center and author of several books on postpartum depression and anxiety.

This limited access to treatment, along with lengthy travel times, means rural residents often wait longer to receive mental health care. Delayed treatment may be especially precarious for depressed mothers, because an early diagnosis is essential for a healthy recovery.

Because it can be so arduous to locate local help, many rural mothers are turning to remote methods of connecting with therapy services. Though smartphones, computers, and Skype are convenient ways to connect with a psychotherapist, easier access doesn’t remove all of the barriers.

Read more on HuffingtonPost.com.