Q My husband works late often and my parents' home is far away, so I have no one to turn to for help. Does a situation like this make postpartum depression worse?
A An environment lacking family support is an important factor that worsens postpartum depression. Try not to shoulder everything alone, and actively make use of local postpartum care services and counseling resources.
Detailed Answer
A lack of social support is a powerful risk factor for and aggravator of postpartum depression. The less a spouse or family participates in childcare, and the more you have to handle all the nursing and caregiving alone, the more easily symptoms worsen. The feeling of helplessness, as if you cannot soothe your crying baby, and the isolation of thinking "why am I the only one struggling," accelerate depression. Make use of resources such as postpartum depression screening at your local public health center, the Incheon Childcare Support Center, and the mental health crisis counseling line (1577-0199), and securing even a few hours of rest for yourself each week is essential for recovery.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Korean medicine also regards the postpartum period as the time when body and mind are most vulnerable, and emphasizes adequate rest and family support as essential conditions for treatment. Alongside treatment, Dongjedang discusses ways to improve your environment together, and we also provide referral information to those near Dong-gu and Dongincheon in Incheon who are looking for postpartum care resources.
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