Postpartum Issues
Postpartum Support International, (PSI) was founded in 1987 to “eliminate denial and ignorance of emotional health related to childbirth. I’ve written about this topic before but after reading about another mom and blogger who is a little bit overwhelmed right now I feel this is a good opportunity to once again talk about this unfortunately taboo-topic.
Childbirth can be physically stressful. It IS emotionally stressful, in most cases it is a good stress, a new and positive life change, but it can take time to adjust to a good change. I really like the mission of PSI: “eliminate the ignorance” of postpartum depression. Too often women are struggling, silently and even those closest to them do not know or don’t recognize the behaviors and symptoms.
I don’t like the name POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. The implications are incorrect. Sometimes the manifestation is in the form of anxiety. Depression doesn’t always mean you mope around in dark cloud of sadness. Some women do. Many other sufferers are actually well functioning mothers and wives. They wake up each day and smile at their baby, clean the house, shop for groceries, make dinner for their husband and even find some time to post to their blogs. However, in silence, in their minds they are often riddled with anxiety, worry, and self-criticism, irritability and inadequacy haunt their minds. Most women don’t even get close to hurting their children.
PSI has a great website for any new mother or mother-to-be. The resources are up to date and easy to read. If you suspect you or someone close to you is affected, please reach out and talk to them, show them this posting or this or this.
