Postpartum Depression article on WebMD

Wendy Davis of Baby Blues Connection (BBC) and Postpartum Support International (PSI) passed this on this article, Postpartum Depression: More Common than You Know, found on WebMD. I particularly like this quote from the president of PSI, Birdie Gunyon Meyer, RN, MA, CLC, also the coordinator of the Perinatal Mood Disorders Program at Clarian Health in Indianapolis:

Even highly intelligent women don't recognize what they have, and when they do try to reach out, people just say, 'Yeah, that's motherhood. It's tough.'

I might add that sometimes even therapists and counselors, who are trained to recognize the signs of depression, do not recognize that they have a perinatal mood disorder. Hopefully with public education, more women and families will recognize the signs of it and get help. In addition to lack of information, there is quite a bit of fear and shame associated with postpartum mood disorders. Hopefully, that will change too.

Please pass on this article and get help if you or someone you know may have a perinatal mood disorder. It can be treated, the effects can be minimized, you will get better, there is hope.


Where to find help:
Baby Blues Connection

Postpartum Support International