Marilyn,
If she is willing and able to discuss with you her reasons for needing an
antidepressant, it might be helpful to start with this. If I understand your
post correctly, she was started on Zoloft post partum, so I would wonder why?
Does she have a history of depression, been medicated before? What symptoms
did she experience that led to pp medication? Is this her first baby? Does
she have a decent support system? Is she isolated geographically? What's
her diet like? Would she benefit from increasing good fats in her diet? a
reliable source of fish oil (which is brain food, and can improve
neurotransmission)? Does she attend any support groups like a new mom's group, LLL?
I'm not proposing that medication isn't often necessary for the women who
experience chemical imbalances, but too often, it seems it's easier to
prescribe medication without exploring other options or even finding out what the
root of the depression is, and even in conjunction with medication for the
short term seeing that the client gets into therapy.
If this mom has a need to be on the Zoloft, and other information re
alternatives or concomitant approaches has been given to her, then she could
consider something like More Milk Plus (a combination herbal tincture galactagogue;
see motherlove.com) or if that isn't effective, domperidone.
I'm not proposing that LC's take on advice-giving re the treatment of
depression, but I do feel information and resources can and should be given if
we're treating women holistically. I've a background in psychiatric nursing, so
perhaps it comes more easily to me, but I just see so many women who lack
support, even companionship, and feel so overwhelmed with motherhood because of
this. I also subscribe to Hale's site and so many posts are about anti
anxiety and antidepressant meds that mom is already on or plans to go on, and I
shudder with the thought of all this pill popping in our society, and feel for
the people who are never helped completely. Psychotropic medications have a
place and are life saving, no doubt, but the value of interpersonal
relationships seems to have decreased drastically, and helping moms with lots of TLC
and good listening skills as well as having readily available resources for
ongoing help/information is critical.
Sorry, off my soapbox, now, before I make this an epistle instead of a
simple answer.
Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC
**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog,
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