Don't Suffer In Silence. You Are Not Alone!

Motherhood can be blissful, but it isn't always...
Women are told two of the most exciting and joyful times in their lives are pregnancy and new motherhood—but what if they’re not? Feelings of anxiety and sadness are not uncommon and can emerge in women who are having a healthy pregnancy and who love and want their baby.

Maternal depression can affect women of any race, age, or socioeconomic background, and it can occur with any pregnancy or birth. Symptoms vary in severity from bothersome to debilitating and can develop anytime during the prenatal period through the first year after delivery. The stigma associated with feeling anything less than euphoria around motherhood, coupled with medical professionals, friends and family members who might dismiss these feelings prevent many women from finding and/or seeking help. Without treatment, symptoms may last a few weeks, extend months, or even years.

Don't suffer alone in silence. You are NOT to blame!

How Do I Know
​If I Am Depressed?

Are you feeling sad more days than not?

How about irritable or angry towards others? 
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Are you struggling to sleep or with a change in appetite?

Does your mind race with constant worry or panic?

Do you worry about hurting your baby or have paralyzing fear that something is wrong with your child?

Do you find yourself trying to “over-control” because you are feeling “out of control”?

​Do you have feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness?
These are just a few symptoms that may indicate the need for help with a perinatal mood disorder and the good news is….THEY ARE ALL TREATABLE and you DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANY LONGER!
Although there are varying degrees of these symptoms from mild to severe, it’s important to seek treatment if any of them are causing a significant impairment in important areas, such as your relationships (especially your relationship with your baby), your ability to communicate and process your thoughts effectively, and your desire to be around others (as opposed to isolating from the support system you may have in place).

​If you are connecting to some of the symptoms mentioned above but you are still unsure if treatment is necessary or would be helpful, you can contact me to schedule a brief assessment over the phone. You can also complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale1 (EPDS) here and we can discuss the results in our consultation.

How Can I Help A Mother Who May Be Depressed?

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1. Ask how she has been feeling and for how long.
If you don’t know whether a mother is depressed, then talk about it. Talking is good way to help her feel less ashamed and alone. You can start by asking a few simple questions: How are you feeling? Have you been feeling down? If so, for how long?  You seem down or irritable this week. Is everything OK?  Has your mood been affecting your parenting? 

Listen closely to what she says, paying attention to the following feelings in her replies:

​Despair. Depression causes feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Loneliness. When she talks about her life, she may feel that she can’t possibly get help.
Guilt. She may blame herself for being depressed and worry that she isn’t taking good enough care of her children. A mother may have no idea that her sadness could be linked to depression. More importantly, she may not know that such feelings are treatable. common reactions

​2. Encourage her to take steps to improve her mood. 
A mother may admit to feeling down, stressed, or overwhelmed. Even with just a few symptoms, she may benefit by getting more support.

​3. Encourage her to seek help! 
A mother who talks about many symptoms of depression may not be able to function well at her job, as a parent or at other aspects of life. This mother can benefit from treatment, and you can help guide her to professional help. ​

SOURCE: Depression in Mothers: More Than the Blues  (www.samhsa.gov)

 Secure Online Support in Virginia

Therapy no longer has to take place in an office if you don't want it to. It can happen from anywhere you are with the help of a computer, tablet, or even phone. I am licensed to work anywhere in the state of Virginia and can meet you through a secured online platform that is easy to use and completely confidential...and the best part is that you can do this from the comfort and privacy of your own home or office, while you are out in the community, or even when you are traveling. No need to secure a babysitter or take a longer lunch to make a therapy session....now we can meet with ease and privacy from wherever you are.

I use a secured online platform called  Doxy that is easy to use (you will need to use either Google Chrome or Firefox for these applications). There is nothing to download. You just click on the link and you will be taken directly to the site. We will have a face to face session as though we are sitting right across from each other and all you need is a webcam and microphone, which are already built into most computers, tablets, and phones. For extra privacy I recommend using earbuds, which can also reduce ambient noise from distracting you while in session. On my end I will be in a private setting with no one else present. I will use earbuds for added privacy and ensure a background environment that is not distracting to the session.

Mental Wellness Where You Are!

Questions? Contact Me!

This website is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be considered as psychological, psychiatric, or medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for seeking treatment with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. ​Additionally, use of this website or blog does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shawn Ware-Avant, MS, LPC, RPT/S, DCC
Shawn Ware-Avant, LLC
​5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd
P.O. Box 41298
​Norfolk, Virginia 23541
(757) 744-2121
​[email protected]