Determining the need for medication

Psychologist & Postpartum Specialist Shoshana Bennett, PhD, explains the important factors for women to consider when deciding to take medication for postpartum depression
Determining The Need For Postpartum Depression Medication
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Determining the need for medication

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Medication is not always needed for recovery during pregnancy depression or postpartum depression. Often just realistic expectations and great sleep and really good nutrition and emotional support with non-judgmental people and physical support, so she gets some time just for herself – you know, things like this can make a huge difference. Often women are afraid to come forward, they’re reluctant to go to their doctors and say, “I don’t feel well,” because they think, “All that’s going to happen is that I’m going to get a prescription and then I might be stuck on it forever.” Which actually isn’t true either. But often some natural or alternative treatments can be mixed in there as well and it works really great for many, many women. The best doctors will tell their patients, “I’m willing to prescribe you a psychiatric medication if you need it. But first go see doctor Shosh, or one of my colleagues, and get a full assessment first. Because you may or may not need it.”

Psychologist & Postpartum Specialist Shoshana Bennett, PhD, explains the important factors for women to consider when deciding to take medication for postpartum depression

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Shoshana Bennett, PhD

Clinical Psychologist & Postpartum Specialist

Shoshana Bennett, PhD (“Dr. Shosh”) from the popular DrShosh.com Radio Show is the author of Pregnant on Prozac, Postpartum Depression For Dummies, and co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety.  She is also the creator of the new mobile app PPD Gone.  National TV shows including  20/20, Discovery Channel, The Doctors and The Ricki Lake Show feature Dr. Shosh as the pregnancy and postpartum mood expert and news stations such as CNN consult her. Several publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News have written articles on Dr. Shosh’s work.  She’s interviewed regularly on national radio and has been quoted in dozens of newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Boston Globe, Fit Pregnancy, Glamour, Parenting, Psychology Today, New York Post, Self, Cosmopolitan, and the Chicago Tribune. 

Dr. Shosh is a pioneer in the field.  She is a survivor of two life-threatening postpartum depressions. She founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers in 1987, and is a former president of Postpartum Support International. Dr. Shosh helped develop the official Postpartum Support International training curriculum for professionals which is now considered the gold standard in the field. She has helped over 19,000 women worldwide through individual consultations, support groups and wellness seminars.  As a noted guest lecturer and keynote speaker, she travels throughout the US and abroad, training medical and mental health professionals to assess and treat postpartum depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. She earned three teaching credentials, two masters degrees, a PhD and is licensed as a clinical psychologist.

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