The Real—but Hidden— Dangers of Postpartum Depression

during pregnancy or started up during pregnancy or post-delivery, and it can occur during any period for the mom with any (or all) of her children. Autoimmune conditions often wear out our energy cycles, create inflammation, and disrupt hormones, leaving symptoms of tiredness, fatigue, low energy/drive, inflammation (which may appear as weight gain), aches and pains in the body, digestive issues, skin issues, swollen glands, and (low-grade) recurrent fever. But sometimes, there are no symptoms at all. Because autoimmune conditions can be hard to recognize, they may go untested and untreated. If you have a family history of autoimmunity or are interested in checking, make an appointment so you and your doctor can review your symptoms and decide if further testing is necessary.

The connection between PPD and autoimmunity is that one can feed into the other, creating a cycle that may not resolve and may even become worse. For instance, if you have a disruption in your sleep cycle, your hormones (thyroid) are likely getting further disrupted—being pregnant disrupts them automatically to sustain a new life.

We do the most healing during sleep, between the hours of 10 pm and 2 am. Without sleep, your body becomes inflamed—particularly if it’s not able to heal. This causes us to hold onto toxins that disrupt our natural homeostatic state, leading to a cascade of impairments and symptoms, such as a disruption in pH buffer systems. This allows for certain bacteria to reside (as an overgrowth) in the gut, where they would be limited and in balance with other microbes. Or, our happy hormones (dopamine and serotonin) might see disruptions, leading to further depression—and, if there is a rapid surge, they may appear as schizophrenia.

I want no woman to go unheard or feel out of control of her mind or body—I want her to feel blessed and happy with her new child. If you need help, reach out—you deserve to rest and have support.

By Dr. Cora Stover, ND

“Postpartum depression is a common disorder, yet women are suffering silently. PPD should be carefully monitored, and any hallucinations or psychotic features should be discussed with and taken seriously by your provider, particularly when you have a family history of mental illnesses.”

—Dr. Cora Stover,

ND

Dr. Cora Stover, ND, operates Emerald City Health Associates, LLC as an all-natural telehealth clinic. At ECHA, Dr. Stover assists her patients through challenging health conditions while sifting through the symptoms to find the common factor. Dr. Stover works with complicated issues such as hormones and autoimmunity, addressing core issues for her patients. Call 203.963.1932 and visit www.emeraldcityhealth.com for more information.

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By Brenda Sullivan