Coping with postpartum depression
In reality, postpartum depression is not as rare as one might think. In fact, over half a million women suffer from postpartum depression each year. One of the biggest problems with postpartum depressions is not everybody thinks it’s real, sometimes not even the moms who are suffering from it, due to it being what many refer to as a silent illness. Postpartum depression is VERY real and there is no reason for anybody to act like it doesn’t exist. Moms should not have to endure this illness in silence or feel bad about their harmful thoughts, including thoughts about hurting their children or even about running away from it all. Women going through postpartum depression need to speak out and get the help that they deserve.
If you are dealing with postpartum depression here are some tips that you can follow to help you cope with this silent illness.
Tip One: Positive Thinking
One of the hardest things about postpartum depression is the mood swings; some women even call themselves “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” With these mood swings, it is often hard to see the positive in yourself, but it is something that you need to work on. Whenever you are feeling down about yourself, you need to stop and remember the positive things. However, just thinking about it doesn’t often work; many women find that writing it down helps. Writing it down allows you to hang the paper in a spot that is easily seen, so you can go back and read it every time you are having a bad time. Having these positive things written down and posted where they can be easily read, helps remind you of whom you really are, not what you are currently feeling like.
Tip Two: Support From Family
Postpartum does not just affect moms; it actually affects the entire family. Moms suffering from postpartum often feel worthless or incredible sadness that just won’t go away. In part the often quit doing things around the house, such as cooking dinner or even cleaning. Many times, they find themselves stuck in bed with no energy to get up and moving. Some spouses might think they are lazy or their feelings are all in their head or perhaps they are just laying around feeling sorry for themselves, but this is not the case. Talk to your spouse about how you are feeling to help them understand so they can in turn help you.
Tip Three: Don’t Place Blame
Many women tend to blame themselves for their feelings. They often feel like there is something that they are doing wrong. What you need to remember is that if you are feeling guilty about having postpartum depression you cannot blame yourself. It’s not like you choose to this issue, it is something that just happens and is beyond your control!
In addition to all of the above tips, you should also consult your doctor. Not all cases of postpartum depression require medication, but if things get bad enough it is probably a good idea. Moreover, your doctor will be able to tell you what medications are safe for both you and baby, especially if you are breastfeeding.
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