Thinking about Therapy?
Take our quiz to see therapists who are a good match for you.
Take our quiz to see therapists who are a good match for you.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition that affects many new mothers. PPD can cause feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue, and may interfere with a mother’s ability to care for herself and her newborn. Although there are various treatments available for PPD, one therapeutic approach that has shown promise is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
ACT is a type of therapy that focuses on taking “mindful” action and increasing your psychological flexibility. The goal of ACT is to help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, accept those experiences without judgment, and take action towards living a meaningful life.
In the context of PPD, ACT can be particularly effective because it encourages new mothers to embrace the changes and challenges of motherhood, rather than resisting or avoiding them. ACT can help new mothers develop a greater sense of acceptance and self-compassion, which can in turn reduce symptoms of PPD.
Here are some ways that ACT can be used to help new mothers cope with PPD:
1. Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a key component of ACT. Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings as a new mother, and can help you develop a greater sense of acceptance and non-judgment. Mindfulness can also help new mothers cope with the stress and anxiety of caring for a newborn.
2. Acceptance: Acceptance is another key component of ACT. As a new mother, you may have expectations about what motherhood “should” be like, and may feel disappointed or frustrated when your experience does not match those expectations. ACT can help new mothers develop a greater sense of acceptance and self-compassion, which can reduce symptoms of PPD.
3. Values: ACT emphasizes the importance of living a meaningful life. Being a new mom is hard. You may feel like your life has been completely taken over by the demands of caring for a newborn. ACT can help you identify your values and take action towards living a meaningful life, even in the midst of the challenges of motherhood.
4. Behavioral activation: Behavioral activation is a technique used in ACT that involves taking action towards meaningful goals. New mothers may feel like they don’t have the energy or motivation to do anything other than care for their newborn. Behavioral activation can help new mothers identify small, achievable goals that they can work towards, which can increase your sense of accomplishment and reduce symptoms of PPD.
Overall, acceptance and commitment therapy can be an effective treatment for postpartum depression. It can help you practice mindfulness, accept your thoughts and feelings, identify your values, and take action towards meaningful goals. ACT can help new mothers cope with the challenges of motherhood and reduce symptoms of PPD. If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum depression, consider seeking the help of an ACT therapist.
