The Marshall University Psychology Clinic is offering a six-week therapy program next month for new mothers experiencing depression symptoms.
The therapy group labeled "baby blues" is intended to help mothers with newborns getting through the aftermath of giving birth.
They will meet individually with a therapist to be assessed to make sure the group is actually designed for the session's needs.
"The term 'baby blues' is actually a clinical term used to describe the first couple weeks right after a woman gives birth," said Sarah Setran, psychological trainee at the clinic. "Prior to four weeks after giving birth mothers cannot actually be diagnosed with postpartum depression, so we use this program to locate moms who were feeling a little moody but they were not quite sure if they were meeting criteria for postpartum depression."
The group will go over several basic symptoms that the new mothers might experience and how to deal with them. Each session will cover a different symptom.
The program will begin with an orientation describing future sessions. Before the group begins discussing different symptoms, the trainees want to get them in the most positive state of mind about themselves.
"A lot of moms think that there is something wrong with them," said Lisa Ryan, psychological trainee. "And we want to bring them to the normalization that these mothers are not the only ones that feel the way they do. It's one of the biggest impacts in any therapy sittings to know that they are not the only people that feel down."
The program encourages that the mothers bring their infants with them to the therapy sessions. The trainees will be doing different activities within the sessions that involve the baby to increase the relationship between the mother and her child.
One of the major symptoms the group will be discussing is sleep. With mothers having to wake up in the middle of the night to attend to their newborn, at the same time their moods can be affected.
"The baby gets up and eats every two hours," Setran said. "Somebody has to be doing those feedings, somebody has to be doing those diaper changes and that is going to significantly affect a mother's mood and plenty hormones are released."
Mothers that are affected by certain problems such as sleep, causes a gateway for other issues such as their relationship with the people around them including their husband or significant other.
Other issues they will be discussing is vaccines, immunizations for the child and feeding options followed by an overview of the program at the ending week.
Dr. Patrick Ryan is a pediatrician who will be attending one of the group sessions discussing vaccines.
Ryan said, in a press release, postpartum depression not only affects the mother's well being but the new baby's well being also. It is important for new mothers experiencing these symptoms to talk to doctors about how they are feeling.
The program will start Thursday, April 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will continue every Thursday for six weeks.
Mothers interested can contact the program's e-mail at babybluesgroup@yahoo.com.
Collin Williams can be contacted at williams219@marshall.edu.
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