Post Partum Depression
Help is out there.
by Anita Doberman
I am in the midst of battling post-partum depression, or PPD.
I thought that with baby number six, I would be used to it, or maybe skipped this step, but no such luck. Let me be more eloquent. I feel emotionally void. And that isn’t an exaggeration. It’s as if a wall has been erected between me and those around me--one that only I can feel--but one that stands in my emotional way nonetheless.
Functionally, I am fine. I complete all of my assigned tasks efficiently. I take care of the kids and help them with school and activities. I cook and clean (ok, that I never really did so well), and manage to keep up with the laundry. I pay the bills and keep the house going while my husband is off doing his military duties. My mind seems to be working fine. My thoughts are there, but my heart is, well, distressed. There is a pervasive sense of gloom. Sadness has become a constant companion. During the day it travels with me wherever I go, and at night it keeps me awake.
People around me don’t seem to notice except to ask if I’m sick, or more tired on the particular day I see them. And even if I tell them I’m feeling blue, there isn’t much they can do. I recently read that military women are more susceptible to PPD, but it’s also something that I, and anyone else who feels the blues, can get help for.
Tricare has good resources – ask your Primary Care Manager - and therapy and medication are both possible combinations. Getting exercise and fresh air every day can also work wonders.
Eventually I know that this too will pass, like it has always passed. I shared my feelings because I hope that if someone else is going through a hard time, they’ll know that, hey you are not alone -- help is out there.
You just have to ask, and eventually we will all find a little sunshine again.
If you or someone you know suffers from PPD, seek help. Take a look at the signs below. I know it is a hard step, but together we can get through it.
According to Tricare:
- Postpartum depression: A complex mix of physical, emotional and behavioral changes that occur after giving birth that are attributed to the chemical, social and psychological changes associated with having a baby; about 50%-75% of new mothers experience postpartum depression.
Symptoms of Depression
- Sadness
- Loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable
- Loss of energy
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Insomnia or excessive sleep
- Stomachache and digestive problems
- Sexual problems (for example, decreased sex drive)
- Aches and pains (such as recurrent headaches)
- A change in appetite causing weight loss or gain
- Thoughts of death, suicide, or self-mutilation
- Self-mutilation or attempting suicide