Postpartum Depression Info - Please Read!
Q: Below you will find some info on Postpartum Depression. While most of us
experience a few days of the "Baby Blues" after the birth of a child, for at
least 1 in 10 women "the blues" don't go away and sometimes get worse. Many
women feel guilt, shame and isolation, afraid to tell partners, friends and
even their doctor. However, just like a physical illness, Postpartum
Depression is real and needs to be treated. There are several treatment
options available sometimes including medication and counselling. Some of
the most effective medications for treating PPD are considered compatible
with breastfeeding. This is not your fault. You did nothing to cause this
and help is available. Please tell your doctor if you think you may have
PPD. I am a social worker and survivor of PPD and I hope that by posting
this message on a monthly basis I can help other women seek out treatment
early and avoid going through what I did. If you have any questions or
would like more info please post it to this message or email me privately.
A:Some people think PPD only affects women who did not want their baby, women
who are not good mothers, or women who are weak. PPD does not have anything
to do with being a bad mother. PPD is very treatable, sometimes with a
combination of medications and therapy. Don't let yourself suffer, you are
worth more than that! Do these symptoms sound familiar?
1. ARE YOU ABLE TO SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS?
Unable to sleep, mind racing all the time?
While most postpartum women are tired, one with PPD never seems to feel
rested. She might wake during the night even before her baby does and be
unable to get back to sleep.
"I was afraid that I was going crazy. I could not sleep, overtime I closed
my eyes, my mind raced. When I told people that I couldn't' sleep, they
would tell me that they understood, it's hard with a baby crying all the
time. But I couldn't sleep even when she was asleep."
"I cried constantly, could not sleep, even when my baby did. I couldn't make
even trivial decisions, I felt emotionally detached from her, had no
appetite, and felt anxious. How could I tell anyone this?"
2. ARE YOU GETTING OUT?
Often women will isolate themselves, stop taking calls from family and
friends. When we do go out we become experts at disguising our symptoms.
"I became an expert at looking good for the doctor and nurses. I would
pretend that everything was fine, but inside, I was hoping that they would
see through my appearance. I just wanted someone to ask me, how I was really
doing? I was too ashamed to bring it up myself."
"I cried every time my husband left the house. I was afraid of being alone
with the baby, fear of harming myself or baby, fear of interacting with the
baby, and guilt for my weird thoughts. I desperately wanted to feel normal
again."
To physicians and other healthcare practitioners:
Please take a minute to ask your patients a few questions about how they are
feeling emotionally.
1. Have you had PPD before?
2. Do you have a history of depression?
3. Are you sleeping OK when your baby sleeps?
4. Any changes in your appetite?
5. Are you experiencing anxiety or panic?
6. Are you afraid to be alone