Postpartum Depression: Breaking the Silence and Finding Help
— By Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC
You’re not alone. And you’re not failing.
Welcoming a baby is supposed to be joyful — at least, that’s what most people expect. But for many women, the weeks and months after giving birth are filled not with joy, but with exhaustion, anxiety, numbness, and overwhelming sadness.
This isn’t just “baby blues.” It’s postpartum depression — a real, serious, and treatable condition that affects 1 in 7 mothers¹.
If you’re struggling right now, please hear this:
You are not weak. You are not a bad mother. You are not alone.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can develop after childbirth — usually within the first few weeks, but sometimes even months later. It’s caused by a complex mix of hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, nutritional shifts, neurological imbalances, and emotional overload.
PPD can affect:
Your ability to bond with your baby
Your connection with your partner or support system
Your sense of identity, motivation, and mental clarity
Your physical energy, appetite, and sleep
Your thoughts — especially feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or fear
It’s more than “just being tired.” It’s your entire system calling out for help.
Signs You Might Be Experiencing Postpartum Depression
Persistent sadness, tearfulness, or feeling empty
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or trapped
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Appetite changes (undereating or overeating)
Feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy
Trouble bonding with your baby
Intrusive or scary thoughts
Feeling like you’re failing — even when you’re doing your best
There Is a Biological Component — It’s Not Just in Your Head
Many women are told to “just rest” or “snap out of it,” but postpartum depression has a clear neurobiological basis. At Alleviant, we use spectral EEG (sEEG) to measure electrical activity in your brain — identifying patterns that may be contributing to symptoms.
We then personalize your care using NeuroSync™, our integrated brain optimization treatment that addresses the root causes of mental health dysfunction.
Your care plan may include:
Spectral EEG to evaluate brainwave activity
Personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for areas linked to mood regulation
Talk therapy, including trauma-informed approaches for birth-related distress
Health coaching to support sleep, nutrition, toxin reduction, and emotional wellness
Safe medication options, if needed, aligned with your breastfeeding status
Spiritual care, if you desire meaning and faith-based support
You Can Be a Loving Mom and Struggling at the Same Time
So many mothers suffer silently because they fear judgment. They fear being seen as “ungrateful” or “unfit.” But motherhood is complex. It holds both love and loss, joy and fear, beauty and exhaustion.
If you’re struggling, the most loving thing you can do — for yourself, your baby, and your family — is to get help.
There is no shame in healing.
You Are Worth the Same Care You Give to Others
You’re doing more than just surviving — you’re nurturing a human life. That’s sacred. And that means you deserve sacred care, too.
Let’s break the silence. Let’s rewrite the story.
Reference
¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Depression Among Women.”