Perinatal depression, in which women experience depression symptoms in the time leading up to and just after giving birth, affects around a quarter of women. However, the issue is often ignored or minimized as a side effect of hormonal changes, sleep issues, or passing anxiety. Whatever the cause, the issue is both wide reaching and treatable.
Both Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be effective in treating a host of emotional issues including perinatal depression. Therapists can employ either method, based on their comfort level and the particular contours and causes of the client’s issues. DBT provides practical skills to regulate one’s emotions, while CBT can help clients reexamine the source of their feelings.