today is the official blogHers day of action re: postpartum depression and the MOTHERS act.
depression in general has a reputation of being an invented or maudlin, self-serving disease. i cannot reiterate enough that DEPRESSION IS VERY REAL. the 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps and just get over it' mentality that so many people adopt is not applicable. that is not to say that individuals can't do anything at all to help themselves; of course they can. but when you have a child, all of those overwhelming thoughts feelings, the anxiety, pressure, and alienated feeling that surface can be symptomatic of a DISEASE, and help is available. when one out of every 10 new mothers experience this, it's serious, and can be deadly.
katie corcoran has been missing since september 5th as a result of post-partum psychosis. she was seeking help when somehow she was sent away from the hospital in a cab. her family hasn't seen her since.
take action and inform your representatives on the MOTHERS Act here. the act would help by expanding research on PPD to better diagnose, treat and uproot causes of the disease, which is currently unknown. it would also increase education and provide two grants to healthcare professionals in order to help them recognize and treat PPD. if you're a new mother, or know a new mother that seems to be/are feeling any or all of these symptoms:
- Sluggishness
- Fatigue
- Exhaustion
- Feelings of hopelessness or depression
- Disturbances with appetite and sleep
- Confusion
- Uncontrollable crying
- Lack of interest in the baby
- Fear of harming the baby or oneself
- Mood swings – highs and lows
1 comment:
Thank you so much for posting today and supporting Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act. Let's hope people keep writing and calling into tomorrow, because I hear the phone lines were pretty busy today. Women have so much power and we sometimes forget to use it. You have helped so many women with PPD, and I am forever grateful!
Post a Comment