Do I Have Post Postpartum Depression?
My problem is a combined one. First off, I had a baby 5 months ago and have recently (in the last month or two) started feeling extreme highs and lows in short amounts of time. I’m guessing it’s Postpartum Depression, but it’s progressively getting worse and taking a toll on my marriage.
One second I’m wondering how I could ever be sad because of what a great life I have and the next, I’m feeling like there is no purpose to life and I’m completely worthless.
I have had increasing anxiety as well. Responsibility scares me and makes me super anxious, and I’m always thinking my husband will cheat on me (because of how pathetic I have been acting). On top of this all, my Mother-in-law and I had a bad falling out and it’s also tearing my husband apart.
I am an insecure person who is trying to get better, and I have a hard time agreeing with other people’s point of view because I am so set on my own.
-Halleicow
Dear Halleicow,
Thanks for your question and I think you hit the nail on the head as far as part of your problem is concerned. Now I want to stress that only a doctor can diagnose postpartum depression, but based on what I know, it sounds like you have it.
As you know, your hormones are all over the place from being pregnant, giving birth, and breast feeding so in some women this causes depression, irrational thinking, and severe mood swings. Please see your doctor as soon as possible as he/she will be able to help you feel normal again with some good medication.
If you were insecure before all of this then this is a separate issue which can be worked through, but will take a little time. Your insecurities are no doubt the result of some irrational beliefs (lies) that you came to believe about yourself, which probably formed during your childhood. Usually these form because of how we were treated by either the adults that were in our lives as children or because of things our peers said to us.
I would recommend that you see a counselor weekly, if possible, one who specializes in REBT therapy. I think this is the best counseling theory in teaching people how to destroy irrational believes and insecurities. You’ll be amazed how different you’ll feel after a few weeks of this type of counseling. So in summary, get to your doctor about your postpartum and then look into seeing a counselor weekly to put these insecurities to rest.
Kindest regards,
Ted
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Comments (3)
This book contains the stories of dozens of women who have traveled the road through PPD and back and lived to tell the tale. Having suffered myself from postpartum depression and anxiety in the past, the book inspired me to write down my own story, which has helped me put closure on that painful time.
I wish I had this book when I was suffering myself. I see myself reflected in so many of the stories, and the fact that these women have put their illness behind them would have helped me to have hope, which is so difficult to maintain when you are depressed. So many moms feel alone and isolated with PPD, and don’t even have a name for their condition, often until years later. Hopefully this book will shed some light on this misunderstood and under-diagnosed illness, so that more women can get the support and treatment they need.
Sandra, your book is an incredible gift to both the women you tell their stories in it, and the women who will read it and receive comfort. Thank you.
As a psychiatrist who specializes in working with pregnant and postpartum women, I found this book to be an invaluable resource. Karen Kleiman’s expertise resounds brilliantly throughout this immensely useful book. It not only reflects well upon Karen’s scholarly and academic pursuit of guiding how best to alleviate suffering for the postpartum woman but it also is written in a straightforward and thoughtful manner that parallels Karen’s compassion and warmth for the affected new mother. I recommend this book highly to all clinicians working in this field.
I applaude Brooke for writing this book because thousands of women suffer just as she did. They need to know they are not alone, and that they will get well with treatment.
A common misconception is postpartum depression is a “natural result” of birth. Not so! It is a deadly serious illness but is also very treatable. I lost my daughter to PPD 5 years ago and have spent my life since losing her trying to educate the public with accurate PPD facts so that others don’t die unnecessarily. For the most part, Brooke’s book has done a good job of giving good information.
Anyone who confuses postpartum depression with baby blues or just being a little down after childbirth is deadly wrong. And anyone who condemns a woman for symptoms over which she has no control is grossly ignorant. (…)
Helena Bradford
The Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation for Postpartum Depression Awareness.
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