Postpartum depression. It is something that is spoken about, if at all, in hushed tones. Who could possibly be depressed after going through the miracle of birth and holding a precious baby in your arms? Well, plenty apparently. It is a reality for 500,000 women every year. 500,000. That is someone you know. Or you.
After giving birth to my beautiful baby GIRL in September 2004, I did experience what I would call a mild case of postpartum depression. I cried at everything, found myself just sitting staring into space, and felt that I couldn't talk to anyone about it. It lasted for a short period of time (several days), but it felt really scary and I felt very alone in my feelings. Here I had been so incredibly blessed with a baby girl so closely following the open adoption of our BOY born 10 months earlier. This was what I had wanted for years. Years. Through IVFs, through making peace on not being able to give birth, to the miracle of BOY coming to us and then the birth of GIRL. An instant family. I couldn't possibly be depressed could I? And, if so, what the hell was wrong with me?
That's just my small story. Let's hear yours. Or, better yet, Take Action for the MOTHERS Act today, October 24th on Blogher and save womens lives.
| Tweet |
|
|||
I was a bit blue the first few months post partum, but it's raising these teenagers that has brought on the full blown depression...just kidding.
ReplyDeleteOh man....I had postpartum depression in a horrible way. It lasted for a year after each one of my kids. I had to take meds and all that jazz. And you're right, you feel alone and don't share with others what you're going thru. You feel like a horrible person for feeling the way you do after having such a beautiful baby. Obviously it's not a rare thing.:) I'll check out the "take action" link, Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteSteph
Thank you so much for posting today and supporting Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act. Let's hope people keep writing and calling into tomorrow, because I hear the phone lines were pretty busy today. Women have so much power and we sometimes forget to use it. You have helped so many women with PPD, and I am forever grateful!
ReplyDeleteHi JCK - great post. I didn't experience PPD but my marriage ended after my son was born, and I learned what it was like to battle enormous emotional upheaval and not talk about it while also trying to be the whole world to my little boy. Agonizing, lonely and frightening, albeit in a very different way. I think that's why I care so much about this issue.
ReplyDeleteGreat to find your blog - Lisa
wow. yes, I do know a little about this, but 5 years after the fact I have stumbled on the reason why. it makes me feel somewhat better to know that circumstances outside of me were to blame.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support of the MOTHERS Act. Too often postpartum depression is a problem that goes unnoticed, and most women with PPD never receive any type of treatment. PPD is a treatable illness, and it is essential that we continue to educate ourselves and others about this important issue.
ReplyDeleteFor more information on PPD, visit us at The MGH Center for Women's Mental Health.
Though well intentioned, your efforts to get "treatment" for mothers who suffer PPD is tragically dangerous. The only "treatment" modern psychiatry prescribes for PPD is SSRI drugs. There is ample evidence that SSRIs can turn what would have been a few days of the blues into a life long psychosis or an insane act of violence. Here's a link to one mother's story of her "treatment:"
ReplyDeletehttp://youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw
She was lucky enough to be able to quit the drugs and smart enough to slowly withdraw from them before following her drug-induced urges to kill her baby and herself.
I urge you do do more research on the effects of SSRIs on women and particularly on unborn children before proposing support for this insane law. A good place to start is : http://www.drugawareness.org
Pregnancy is one of the most important phases of a woman's life and unfortunately sometimes in this phase a woman gets caught in the web of depression. Though depression during pregnancy is not uncommon, it can be dangerous for both the mother and the unborn baby. http://www.xanax-effects.com/
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting for me to read that article. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon.
ReplyDeleteHalf million people every year have new depression disorders? WoW...
ReplyDelete