In a world where mental illness is still a stigma, do you think PPD is handled well?

Question

PPD is referring to Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
   
Additional questions:
  
What could be done to help? 
   
Do you know anyone who has suffered from this?

Answer

PPD, is a sneak attack waiting to happen to women after pregnancy. It does not get the recognition, because ppl don’t pick up on the signs when they are present or when they occur. 
There have been numerous cases where moms kill their kids. Andrea Yates, Susan Smith, and another case in Ohio, where PPD has been the culprit for what occurred. 
Bringing awareness to PPD, just like any other mental health issues is what is really needed. And, ppl need to be educated on this issue even more now because of the danger it presents to the mom and child/children.

Answer

I️ don’t think it’s handled properly for parents of any gender. What a lot of people don’t realize is that you don’t even have to give birth to experience ppd.

Answer

I had severe PPD to the point i was Suicidal, i got help by seeking it from my doctors, friends and family! It went away but not fully but its not as bad as it was, my son is 4 and my daughter is 18 months and i still get Suicidal thoughts because of my depression but i would never act on it. More can be done, it should be talked about in every parenting class, brought up at every prenatal appointment, asked after having the baby and should be reassured that they are not horrible if they need help!!

Answer

I wasn’t able to get therapy until about 6 months as I didn’t present with even baby blues symptoms... ie no crying for no reason. My partner even told my midwife he was concerned about me but I brushed it off as being normal adjustment to motherhood. I only recognized it after I was constantly on edge and critical of my partner. I did receive great support from a therapist but he was a temp and now this new guy is a piece of work... he told me when I expressed that I was anxious about my daughter learning to sleep at daycare “well what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger”... I keep thinking that saying is not helpful for people with mental illness... would you say that to a soldier with PTSD? No. Anyway, I still haven’t told my family or anyone besides my partner that I have PPA... but it affects me in so many ways.

Answer

I don’t think it’s handled well. In high school my sister knew a 16 year old basketball player who had just had a baby & then a few weeks later she killed herself because she couldn’t deal with PPD. She had no help or guidance.

Answer

I must of had a different experience as an Australian. I had so many people check up on mine and my partners PP mental health. We were given so much literature and advice to help us look out for and deal with any PP complications. Even now at 8 month PP, our child health nurse still makes a great effort to ask about how we've adjusted and if we have any concerns.

Answer

Maybe there isn’t enough of a lookout for it. And not enough awareness. You have a baby, you’re sent home asap. The health visitor will pop in after a couple of weeks. Is that enough professional interaction for someone to pick up PPD?
Then there’s family. In a lot of cases I know PPD will go overlooked because of the stresses of being new to motherhood, hormones and exhaustion. Others might pick up on stuff, but I know a lot of people are still struggling to accept mental health issues as a real thing. I know my family’s natural response would be to hide me away from the doctors in case they section me and make me more unwell. I’ve been told that this is actually a really common response from many families.
My situation is a bit different though. I will literally have people observing me from birth to assess me and my ability to be a mother. They’re anticipating PPP, in which case someone will be ready to step in and grab my baby from me, in simple terms. It’s bloody terrifying. But I guess it’s not a bad thing, if I REALLY think about it.

Answer

Not at all unfortunately. And there's a huge stigma against it because if you don't immediately love and bond with your baby, you're a horrible person. I really think the best way to end it is to speak up about your personal experience with it, where to find help, and not dismissing those who struggle/suffer from it. I also think that if you notice that someone might be struggling with it, you should inform them and someone they know (i.e. Spouse, SO, parent, etc)

Answer

I suffered from PPD with my son. It took 2.5 months, holes in walls, and me pulling my hair so hard I made my scalp bleed before I called my doctor. Why? Because anytime I brought it up to family or friends they would just say “oh it’s just your hormones. You’re just tired, etc.” I was the first one in my hometown to go public about it and shortly after, more moms shared their experience. There’s so much pressure on moms(and dads) to appear strong. And mental illnesses seem to be the butt of some jokes and I was afraid of being teased or being told I was an unfit mother. Not to mention the fear of having your child taken away because you’re hurting yourself. So you don’t ask for help in hopes that it’s just a phase. Even after I got on medication, it took my mom a while to come to terms with my PPD because she still thought I was just tired..which bothered me.
I don’t know what could be done, because at your postpartum checkup and at your well child exams, you answer a questionnaire each visit about how you’re feeling (or that’s been my experience). If more people shared their experience, I think it would help those too afraid to seek help. Knowing you’re not alone almost gives a sense of security.

Answer

I had terrible PPD after birth, and it was brushed off as "baby blues." I had people tell me that if I didn't want to kill myself and I could will leave the bed, it was just baby blues. It definitely deserves more attention.

In a world where mental illness is still a stigma, do you think PPD is handled well?

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