The Latest News on Depression After Childbirth

By January 18, 2012

postpartum depression newsI’ve got several events and pieces of research to tell you about related to postpartum depression and I figure the most efficient way to get this done is to just whip out a list.  So here goes:

  • > On January 25th at 1pm Eastern I will be hosting a live chat about postpartum depression on The Motherhood.  Please plan to join in. Ask your questions. Share your story with others who need to hear it.  To register to participate, click here.  If you can’t make it you can always submit a question in advance!
  • > The St. Joseph Medical Center Women’s Behavioral Unit in Houston, Texas, which treats women with postpartum depression and related illnesses, is holding an open house on February 9 from 4:30 to 7pm.  If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to 713-757-7575.  Free parking will be available for attendees.
  • > A  2009 study found that as many as 30% of Latinas in the United States experience postpartum depression. Postpartum Support International has created a great DVD for the Spanish-speaking population called  Madre Saludable, Familia Feliz.  To order a copy, click here.
  • > Have you signed up for Daily Hope yet? If not, you’re missing out, or so people tell me.  I’ve heard from many subscribers that getting Daily Hope helps them get through each day!
  • > The Isis Parenting event at which I’m speaking in Boston (Needham, MA) on the evening of February 15 is for physicians only.  However, they’ve received several inquiries from families and others who would like to attend and are thinking about creating a second event on the 16th that is open to all, including consumers, doulas, lactation specialists, etc.  Wanted to let you know in case you are interested.
  • > Psych Central ran a great piece yesterday called “5 Damaging Myths of Postpartum Depression“. Be sure to check it out.
  • > On the research front:
January 18, 2012 2:37 pm Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

The Intensity of Postpartum Depression

By January 18, 2012

From Postpartum Progress contributor Robin Farr, author of Farewell Stranger and postpartum depression survivor …

I’m going to ask you a question that might make you wonder whether I’ve gone nuts. Or maybe not. Maybe you’ll know exactly what I mean. But first, a story.

One day, around the time I was finally starting to feel better, I went for a walk with a friend. He, too, has suffered from depression and was an excellent sounding board during my really rough months of postpartum depression.

I remember that day so clearly – we took advantage of the sunshine and walked the loop around the bog near my house. We had passed the ducks and had trekked up to the top of the hill that curved away from the main part of the bog. We walked down the other side, making our way back towards the marshy section that led to the cool, tree-covered path.

As we came down the bottom of that slope I asked my friend how he was doing, knowing he had recently been in a better place but wanting to be sure.

“Doing well,” he confirmed. “But I sort of miss the intensity of the emotion, you know?” [Read more...]

January 18, 2012 2:01 pm Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression Specialization & Training Opportunities

By November 10, 2011

postpartum depression trainingI tell moms who have postpartum depression to see specialists whenever possible.  I know this irks some, because a lot of women don’t have access to specialists.  It doesn’t mean I think people who aren’t specialists will not do a good job treating women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.  It just means that when it comes to ANY illness, I would always attempt to see the person with the most experience who has treated the most patients with whatever that illness is.

I complain all the time that there aren’t enough fellowships in perinatal or reproductive psychiatry.  For those seeking one, here’s your chance:

The University of Massachusetts in Boston is now accepting applicants for its 2012-13 post-graduate certificate program in Infant-Parent Mental Health, which includes training on perinatal mood disorders.  There are just a few spaces left for the program, which starts in January.  Fellows spend 12 intensive, interactive 3-day weekends, meeting every other month over the course of 2-years, learning from world luminaries and local experts in Infant-Parent Mental Health. Download an application here, or for more info contact Dorothy@DTRichardson.com:

http://www.umb.edu/academics/cla/psychology/professional_development/infant_parent_mental_health_post_graduate_certificate/

[Read more...]

November 10, 2011 10:57 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression: Every Mother Shares A Common Wish To Be A Good Mom

By October 5, 2011

postpartum depression awareness

Do you care about postpartum depression? You should.

Every mother shares a common wish.  It doesn’t matter what level of education she has, where she lives, her race or her religion: she wants desperately to be a good mom.  Imagine then, that most important dream being dashed at the start.  At a time when others celebrate new life, this mom is devastated, disconnected and afraid.  Her symptoms can range from the inability to eat or sleep, to disturbing thoughts about harming her child, to numbness or feelings of unbridled rage, among others.  She is unable to function on a daily basis.  She is convinced without question that she has failed as a mother.

The only way to reverse that perception and get her new family off to a healthy, strong start is to treat her for the most common complications of childbirth: postpartum depression and anxiety.  Except, she either doesn’t know she needs treatment or, if she does, she doesn’t know where to find it or doesn’t have access to it.  Like the vast majority of other mothers with her condition, she won’t get the professional help she needs.   She has no idea whatsoever that this could lead to health problems, including lifelong chronic depression, and that her baby is being affected negatively as well when it comes to his or her cognitive development, attachment and future psychological health.

It might be one thing if she was among just a handful of moms, but she isn’t.  She is among more than half a million mothers with untreated postpartum depression each year, as well as several hundred thousand more still suffering from illnesses that were never treated the previous years, and at least one million children whose future health is unquestionably at stake.  And that’s just in America.

Postpartum Progress is working to change that.  We need your help.  We are counting on you to help us by donating today.  If you join our cause by writing a post in support of Strong Start Day, please add your link below.  If you send an email to all your friends and loved ones asking for their support by donating to help moms with postpartum depression, please let us know in the comments section.  And know that we plan to list every single person who donates to our cause this week, except for those who prefer to remain anonymous.

To donate via credit card:

DonateNow

To donate via Paypal:

 

To link up your Strong Start Post:

October 5, 2011 9:34 am Filed Under: Awareness, Postpartum Depression

Bloggers Unite To Support Women With Postpartum Depression & Raise Funds

By October 4, 2011

postpartum depression awarenessWe’re getting ready for Strong Start Day tomorrow.

So happy to tell you about all the wonderful bloggers who will be supporting us in this effort to raise money for Postpartum Progress Inc to help women with postpartum depression.  I am really so humbled and thrilled they have agreed to take the time to support our work by writing a post tomorrow, October 5th, to help raise money to support women with postpartum depression.

If you can join by writing something in support of Postpartum Progress Inc. this week and linking to our donation page (maintained by Network for Good), please do!  I’ll be more than happy to add you to the list below! If you’re not on the list, please be assured I want you on it.  I haven’t heard back from quite a few people.  (Damn spam folders.)

[Read more...]

October 4, 2011 9:30 am Filed Under: Awareness, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Progress News

Join Postpartum Progress on October 5th for Strong Start Day

By October 3, 2011

postpartum depression awarenessDid you know that October 5th is the most common birth day?  More babies are born on October 5th than on any other day during the year.  Did you also know that this week is Mental Illness Awareness Week?

That is why it is so fitting that this Wednesday, October 5th, Postpartum Progress will hold a very special event: Strong Start Day. On this day when more families are begun than any other day, we will be raising funds to make sure that more families are able to start off strong and emotionally healthy.

Currently, only 15% of women with postpartum depression ever get the help they need.  That’s not enough.  We want more women to be aware of the variety of risk factors and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, to know where to go for help and to be able to find the support they need.  When they have this information and support, they’ll be able to recover fully and their families will get off to a much-deserved stronger start.

[Read more...]

October 3, 2011 1:27 pm Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

Free Phone Chats with Postpartum Depression Experts This Week

By October 3, 2011

Postpartum Support International would like to remind you of its scheduled Chats with an Expert this week.  The Monday Chat for Men is this evening at 8pm Eastern, facilitated by Dr. David Miller.  The Wednesday Chat for Women is on October 5th at noon Eastern, facilitated by Linda Klempner.  Call in! It’s free, you can remain anonymous if you like, and you can get your questions answered, whether you are calling for yourself, or are a dad calling about your wife or partner.  To learn more, click here.

October 3, 2011 9:50 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

Mom of Twins Gets No Help From OB/GYN For Her Postpartum Depression

By September 26, 2011

postpartum depression after twinsI asked the members of the Postpartum Progress Facebook Fan Page if any of them had stories of having postpartum depression after delivering twins or multiples.  Melissa D., a mother of four from Wisconsin, was kind enough to share her compelling story.  She had so many risk factors, including everything from a history of anxiety, to previous infertility treatments, to a previous miscarriage, to an upland pregnancy, to the loss of her mother during one of her pregnancy, to a major house move and more:

My twins’ pregnancy was a complete surprise, as we already had two children and had decided not to have any more.  I had difficulty pregnancies previously — modified bed rest and preeclampsia — plus a recent miscarriage, all of which were part of the decision.  I had already donated most of our baby items, and my husband was about to get a vasectomy.  I was pretty shocked to find out I was pregnant. A few weeks later I learned we’d be moving, and then I found out we’d be having twins!  I cried pretty much every day from that moment on.

I was already upset, but people’s reactions to my having twins only made things worse.  They would say, “Thank God it’s you and not me,” or “I know someone who had a nervous breakdown with twins” or “I would hate to be you.”

I resented my husband for making us move when I was seven months pregnant.  It was nearly impossible to move around, never mind unpack and try to make friends.  I was highly agitated and irritable.  I started pre-term labor after the move, and my uterus was so irritated that I was continually in a state of one giant, painful contraction. I remember wondering whether it would be better to roll out of bed and wobble to the bathroom or just stay there and pee on myself because it hurt so much to get up.

[Read more...]

September 26, 2011 12:39 pm Filed Under: Multiples, Postpartum Depression

ABC’s Medical Editor to Host Twitter Chat on Postpartum Depression

By September 23, 2011

Postpartum Depression Twitter ChatI’m very excited to be part of a Twitter chat on postpartum depression next week with Dr. Richard Besser, who is the Medical Editor for ABC News and also a pediatrician.

Dr. Besser hosts Twitter chats every Tuesday on a wide variety of health topics, and next Tuesday I will join him on a chat about postpartum depression.  I hope all of you will join in!  It’s at 1pm Eastern time, and the hashtag to participate is #abcDrBchat.

Editor’s update: The chat turned out great, and Dr. Besser says it was the best attended of any one he has ever done, so way to go PPD mamas!!!!!

September 23, 2011 9:25 am Filed Under: Awareness, Postpartum Depression

Why Americans Don’t Want To Discuss Depression With Their Doctors

By September 16, 2011

postpartum depression diagnosis and treatmentA fascinating new study finds that a large chunk of Americans would rather not discuss symptoms of depression with their doctors.

According to Health.com, “43% of people would keep their depression symptoms to themselves during a doctor’s appointment, because they feel their emotional difficulties are off-topic, they don’t want to be prescribed antidepressants, or they’re afraid a record of the conversation will be seen by employers … Respondents also expressed fear about being referred to a specialist or being labeled a ‘psychiatric patient’.”

[Read more...]

September 16, 2011 11:55 am Filed Under: Medication, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Depression Treatment, Postpartum Progress News
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