Postpartum depression is more frequent than we think. It affects, to a lesser or greater degree, a between 10 and 20% of recent mothers. But unfortunately it is an invisible disease in the sight of society. You are supposed to be happy to have your baby in your arms, but you are not. You feel sad, overcome, tired, frustrated and sometimes unable to care for your baby.
It can happen to anyone, no matter if you are the neighbor of the corner, a famous singer like Adele, who confessed that she went through a terrible postpartum depression, or if you are the beautiful model and actress Chrissy Teigen. If a few days ago we saw her sleeping on her husband's shoulder at the Oscar ceremony, now she has made public that after the birth of her daughter Luna, 11 months ago, fight postpartum depression.
"The postpartum does not discriminate. I could not control it. And that is part of the reason why it took me so much to speak: I felt selfish and strange saying out loud that I was fighting a depression."Happy birthday, beautiful dad.
A shared post by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Dec 28, 2016 at 12:17 PST
The model strips naked in an interview for the American edition of Glamor magazine "because it helps to talk about it" and does not want people who suffer from it feel ashamed or alone.
He confesses that his depression did not begin immediately after the birth of Luna, but that little by little he began to lose his appetite, the desire to do things and only left the house when it was strictly necessary. Before the summer holidays she was diagnosed and began with a therapy with which she still continues.
"I didn't think it could happen to me either. I have a great life. I have all the help I could need: John, my mother (who lives with us), a babysitter. But the postpartum doesn't discriminate. I couldn't control it."
"I looked at my doctor and my eyes filled with tears, because I was exhausted from feeling that pain. From sleeping on the couch. From getting up in the middle of the night. From vomiting. From paying for things with people I shouldn't. Not enjoying life. Not seeing my friends. Not having the energy to walk my baby. "
The couple's support, fundamental
Celebrating Stevie at last night's Art of Elysium event! 💇🏽 @jenatkinhair 💃🏻 @monicarosestyle 💋 @ 1maryphillips
A shared post by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Jan 8, 2017 at 10:29 PST
That the woman feels the support of her partner in those hard times is key to overcoming a depression. Chrissy has the support of her husband, singer John Legend, who has been at her side at all times.
"He is exactly as good, patient, caring and understanding as he seems." John has been amazing over the past nine months, bringing me medicine and seeing horrible realities with me. "
Detect it on time
It is possible to prevent postpartum depression if the first warning signs are detected in time. The problem is that many of its symptoms are confused with the typical symptoms that any woman who has just become a mother goes through as fatigue, insomnia, lack of appetite, physical pain or lack of energy.
However, there are other more specific signs that could indicate that you are suffering from postpartum depression, such as: not being able to leave the state you are in, not wanting to see anyone (isolation), having negative feelings about motherhood, crisis of anguish or crying
Ask for help
There is no reason to be ashamed or hide that you suffer from postpartum depression. It has nothing to do with the love you feel for your child. Nor are you less mother to have depression. Recognize it and make it visible is the first step to recovery. You are not alone. The more normalized, the easier the way to overcome it will be.
Ask family and friends for help. Turn to them to take care of the baby for a while while you do other things, to help you with household chores, prepare food or stay with the baby so you can go for coffee with a friend. Talk about your feelings, try to be accompanied and find moments for yourself.
Don't rule out asking for professional help If you think the situation exceeds a simple postpartum sadness. It is normal to feel irritable, melancholy or anxiety in the first days after delivery, it is what is known as "baby blues", "maternity blues" or melancholy after childbirth. It is a term included in the psychology manuals that usually lasts a few days, but that if extended over time, can become a postpartum depression.
