Hi Elizabeth and Vanessa!

I light of your conversation and letters from listeners regarding postpartum depression and anxiety, I want to share a link here to a blog post I wrote about my own experience with PPD and what I believe is the culture’s skewed approach to maternal mental health. It touches on a lot of themes you discussed, how we only recently are parenting without a village and the pressure put on mothers to have a certain experience (or at least fake it!)
It took me so long to feel brave enough to write openly about my own struggle but I did so because we desperately need more conversation around these things that are so real for so many moms. So I share here in case it helps anyone even a little bit either a) understand that they are not alone and it is not their fault or b) understand a little more what it might be like for someone in their life who is struggling. Thanks so much for the podcast. xo

You can read my blog post “1 in 7” here: https://unchartedgroundblog.com/2016/05/28/1-in-7/

Hi Elizabeth and Vanessa

I just wanted to comment on what I think was the first letter about the mother with Aniexty. I got the feeling from the letter you read that it is more the PPD, because she said she has been medicated before. I have struggled with depression and anxiety all my life, I had to start taking pills in second grade. To the writer I would say, don’t feel bad or guilty about having to take something and don’t be afraid to talk to your family and doctors about it. If you feel you need to change medication do some research first. In my experience the more basic pills help the most and have fewer side effects. I’m on a low dose of Prozac but my doctor also suggested for me fish oil to help stabilize mood and B Complex to help with anxiety and fatigue. Never be afraid to ask your doctor about supplements, there are plenty of resources to look up what vitamin helps with what. You need to ask questions. If you don’t feel right taking a prescription ask for an alternative treatment, if your doctor only offers you a prescription solution, look into another doctor that is more on the same page as you.

When it comes to an unsupportive husband, I have been there. Even when my husband and I were dating he didn’t understand why I needed to be on medication. He felt it was “all in my head” and I just needed a more positive attitude. It really was a struggle for me. Once we were married I felt really guilty about taking my medication and there where times we would fight about it because he thought I wasn’t happy with our life. The solution I found for this, I made an appointment for both of us to go to my doctor. She told him the facts and put how I was feeling into words that he could understand and recommend some books to read so he could educate himself. It has helped a ton and he still from time to time goes to the doctor with me so we can all be on the same page. I have learned that sometimes him asking to go with me is one of the only ways he knows to be supportive.

To close this I’m going to get a little preachy, but it is something I find comfort in and I find helps. God made you exactly the way you are suppose to be. He never gives us more then we can handle. Anxiety and depression is not a short coming or a fault, it is a badge saying God knows you are stronger then others and has a great plan for you. Rem miner God has a greater plan then we realize and in that plan he made brilliant doctors and chemists, then gave them the brilliant idea for medications to help us out. It is all part of his plan. You should not feel guilty about taking medication. Some of us take medications to be the best us we can be for our families. Taking medication is not setting a bad example for your child either, it teaches them that it is ok to seek help and support when they need it.

My mother was open with me about he medications when I was growing up which help me feel less shame about needing medications myself. Do what you need to in order to take care of yourself and teach your children the same.