Resources for mental health

http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/06/time-to-talk-day-shaking-off-the-stigma-of-mental-health-4265834/

Managing mental health can be a daunting task. With postpartum depression I believe your first line of defense should be getting help from family or friends. Taking time for yourself, getting sleep and getting breaks from your baby will do wonders for your health. Next, talking to your OB/GYN about your state of mind is a must. I think 6 weeks is WAY too long to go without seeing a doctor after having a baby. So much can happen in 6 weeks! Don't hesitate to call your OB/GYN if you are having dark thoughts or your anxiety is affecting your ability to sleep or take care of yourself and your baby. I recently talked to a mom who said she wished she had known she was struggling with postpartum depression sooner so she didn't have to suffer for so long without relief. She now starts anti-depressants while she's pregnant in anticipation of postpartum depression and has found it to be much more manageable. Sometimes just talking to other moms can be so helpful. Knowing you are not alone or a bad mom if you have dark thoughts or just feel stretched to your max by the demands of motherhood can be so reassuring. I find myself hanging out in the mothers room at church just to talk to other moms about how they are coping with a newborn.
After having Hazel, medication was enough to help me feel well again but after having Emma, I was really struggling and my OB/GYN recommended I see a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or LCSW. Talking to her helped immensely! It was like talking to a girlfriend who had training in how to help me talk back to my thoughts. She did what is called Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT with me. It is first being aware of thought processes and then making efforts to change those patterns of thought. Luckily she accepted my insurance as sessions can cost up to $200. When we moved to Utah I looked into seeing a psychiatrist to manage my medication because my depression and anxiety were still out of control even with the drugs my OB/GYN had prescribed. I soon found out it is incredibly difficult to see a psychiatrist. It was frustrating to find one that would accept my insurance and they are usually scheduled 6-8 weeks out if they are even accepting new patients. I spent a lot of time on my health insurance website scrolling through doctors and calling to try to get an appointment. If you don't have insurance, check with your County Health Department as there are government programs to help with mental illness. It's a lot of work but you really have to go to bat for yourself and your health. Or have someone advocate for your wellness, like a mom or a sister or a spouse. I strongly believe it was an answer to prayer that I finally found my psychiatrist. She is wonderful and has helped me so much. I'm lucky enough to have to only pay a $15 co-pay at each visit. I meet with her once a week to go over situations when my anxiety has been overwhelming and to analyze my thoughts and reactions to events. Generally, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and psychologists do Cognitive Behavior Therapy but do not prescribe medication, an OB/GYN can help with that. Or you can see a psychiatrist that can do CBT with you and manage your medication. It gets overwhelming, I know. But my husband reminds me if I had high blood pressure, I would take medication and alter my lifestyle to treat it. It's the same with mental illness, my brain doesn't function properly and I need to take medication and alter my lifestyle to manage it. I have found the more I talk to other people and the more I learn about the brain, the easier it is for me to take care of myself and to accept my mental illness.

Books for brain health:
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel Amen and pretty much anything by Dr. Amen. He's great at outlining the why of depression and anxiety and giving applicable practices for change. He maintains the perspective that we can mold and shape our brains to be more effective, happier and better functioning. He identifies different types of "Automatic Negative Thoughts or ANTS" that are common to people who struggle with anxiety and depression. Dr. Amen's perspective and resources have helped me feel validated in my struggles and have given me strategies to cope with anxiety and depression.
Self-Esteem by Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning
Honestly, I only read the first half of this book because there was so much information and so many exercises that it got a little overwhelming. The parts I did read helped me build my self-esteem and conquer my self-doubt. Reading this book also helped me identify my "Inner Critic" and dispute his claims.
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskam
I haven't read this one yet but a friend recommended it and it's a New York Times bestseller. The author is a Christian, a wife, a mother and a blogger. Read her blog here. I look forward to reading it.

One last note, the effects of exercise on brain health are prevalent especially aerobic exercise as it increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain. I am trying to do more to be active, to enjoy my body and to be a good example to my children. If there are things that have helped you be happy and well please comment, I'd love to hear from you.