PPD help

Suffering Postpartum Depression? Announcing Daily Hope

By Katherine Stone January 10, 2011

I am so excited to launch a new feature here at Postpartum Progress. It’s called Daily Hope. This service is specifically for those of you who are currently suffering from postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, antenatal depression or related illnesses.

I know that many of you don’t have access to support groups or the best specialists. You may not have people around you that understand postpartum depression. Need some extra hope each day from people who DO get it? Someone to shine a light towards the end of the tunnel? That’s Daily Hope! Sign up at the link below, and starting on Monday, January 17th, you will receive an email each day with some inspiration and encouragement for getting through perinatal mood & anxiety disorders (PMADs).

The messages will come from me, as well as leading authors and bloggers on PMADs, including:

Karen Kleiman, MSW, author of “This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression” as well as countless other awesome books on PMADs including the recent “Dropping the Baby & Other Scary Thoughts”
Susan Dowd Stone, LCSW, former president of Postpartum Support International and author of “Perinatal & Postpartum Mood Disorders”
Ann Dunnewold, PhD, author of “Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box” and co-author of “Life Will Never Be the Same: The Real Mom’s Postpartum Survival Guide“
Marlene Freeman, MD, MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health, author of the forthcoming book “Mood Disorders in Women”
Pec Indman, EdD, MFT, co-author of the “Beyond the Blues: Overcoming Postpartum & Prenatal Depression”
Diana Lynn Barnes, author of “The Journey to Parenthood“
Pamela Weigartz, PhD, author of “The Pregnancy & Postpartum Anxiety Workbook“
Lauren Hale at the blog My Postpartum Voice
Aunt Becky of the blogs Mommy Wants Vodka and Band Back Together
Janice Croze of 5 Minutes for Mom
Ivy Shih Leung at the blog Ivy’s PPD Blog
… and many more …

So! To sign up for Postpartum Progress Daily Hope, click here.

Have a friend that you think could use this, or a patient? Be sure to let them know!! If you join, you can opt out (unsubscribe) at any time, and you are not required to give your last name.

Oh, and for you survivors and clinicians out there, if you’d like to join the people listed above and share your own favorite quote or other item of inspiration, send it to me at stonecallis [at] msn [dot] com, and your item may be included in a future Daily Hope email. Be sure to include a link to your blog or website in what you send to me, so that I’ll be able to link back to you if you’d like. (One caveat: Don’t send me a tidbit where you are trying to sell something, with the exception of course of your book. If you do, there’s no chance that it will be included in Daily Hope emails.)

I’m looking forward to providing some daily inspiration for everyone out there who is suffering at this very minute.

Daily Hope and Postpartum Progress the Blog are services of Postpartum Progress Inc. the Nonprofit, which is working to vastly improve the support and services available to women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, primarily through the use of technology.

January 10, 2011 8:50 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

The 21-Day Self-Care Challenge: Day 12

By Katherine Stone October 17, 2010

A pat on the back for continuing this 21 day self-care challenge!

The mind-body benefits of yoga are legendary, and documented with scientific research the health benefits. Yet images of pretzel-like positions and scary headstands intimidate novices, especially those who don’t feel flexible or calm. Anyone can do yoga—even you—and quickly relieve rocketing stress hormones in your body.

Find a quiet stretch of floor. No need for a mat; a towel or rug is nice if your floor is hard and bare. Try the crocodile pose today. Lie on your stomach. Spread your legs wide, gently turning heels in so that inner thighs, knees, and ankles touch the floor. Place your forehead on your forearms, holding each elbow softly in the opposite hand. Adjust if you need to, to feel more comfortable. Stretch out, sinking into the pose, for about ten minutes. Breathe slowly and gently.

Practice this mantra: “I can take ten minutes to stretch out and regroup.”

October 17, 2010 8:30 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

The 21-Day Self-Care Challenge: Day 11

By Katherine Stone October 16, 2010

Half way through the 21-day self-care challenge!

Few things in life are more important than valuing ourselves. Yet maybe you heard messages when you were a child, such as “be humble. Nice girls don’t brag. Don’t be full of yourself. “ If you tune into your personal resources, you will have the inner belief and fortitude to handle the hurdles life inevitably brings.

Most women, even if they feel competent and strong, balk at the idea of actually recording their strengths in black and white. Today, challenge that early childhood programming by writing at least five things you love about yourself. Keep a note card nearby if the traits you want to claim don’t immediately come to mind. Tuck the card into your wallet or tape it on your mirror. Review it daily.

Today’s mantra: “I love me, with all my strengths and human faults.”

October 16, 2010 8:30 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

The 21-Day Self-Care Challenge: Day 9

By Katherine Stone October 14, 2010

Another ten minutes invested in the 21 day self-care challenge, refueling yourself for life’s demands.

Psychologists recognize that our thinking affects mood, guilt, and the ability to handle life’s stresses. The word SHOULD is an example of self-talk that leads directly to feeling badly. “I should be more patient.” “I shouldn’t make mistakes.” “I shouldn’t make my mother angry.” Every SHOULD piles unrealistic expectations upon us, increasing guilt and feelings of inadequacy

Today, listen for your “shoulds.” Feelings are a clue. When stressed, breathe deeply and ask “what’s the should here?” Record each should. Take ten minutes at day’s end to examine the list. Challenge the underlying expectations. Who says it’s even possible to be always patient or mistake-free? Who says you are responsible for your mother’s (or anyone’s) feelings?

Practice this mantra: “Who says? I can challenge the shoulds and be easier on myself.”

October 14, 2010 8:30 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

The 21-Day Self-Care Challenge: Day 4

By Katherine Stone October 9, 2010

Over the hump of week #1 of the 21-day self-care challenge! That’s a worthy accomplishment.

Most of us know the value of exercise for coping with stress—yet you just don’t get to the gym. No need to beat yourself up any longer. Research shows an eight minute walk can boost your mood—so forgive yourself for not darkening the health club door. Today, here’s your ten minute challenge: MOVE. Your choice—whatever works. Walk the stairs at work, walk around the block at home or the park on the way home. Put your favorite music on and dance with the baby for ten minutes. Practice ten minutes of yoga. Ride your bike. Jump rope. Turn cartwheels. Run the vacuum with vigor. Find a way to move that is fun for you.

Practice today’s mantra: “I have time to boost my mood with exercise—just do it.”

October 9, 2010 8:30 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression

The 21-Day Self-Care Challenge: Day 3

By Katherine Stone October 8, 2010

WOW, hurray for you! You’re three days into the 21-day self-care challenge.

If you are like most women, you have an endless “to do” list—and probably tally what is left undone each day. Tonight before you lie down make a “Did Do” list. Maybe you finished a project. Maybe you got all three kids fed, clothed and shuttled to their appropriate venues with minutes to spare. Unloaded the dishwasher? Answered 50% of your emails? Changed six diapers? Count the invisible acts as well. We tend to focus in on the obvious, visible items: clothes folded or desktops cleared. Remember, small things count equally—if not more! Give yourself credit for the grocery clerk you managed to make smile, the boo-boos you kissed away and hugs you hugged, the partner’s or pet’s back scratched.

Practice this mantra today: “I DID many things today that do count.”

October 8, 2010 9:00 am Filed Under: Postpartum Depression Treatment

Parents Ask Falls Short On Recommendations For Fighting Postpartum Depression

By Katherine Stone June 23, 2010

ParentsAsk.com bills itself"as a unique online destination bringing together leading experts, best-selling authors and parents to help families tackle the challenges of modern life." With their latest video on PPD, which I discovered today on Twitter, they could have done better. I doubtthis videowould have helped me tackle the challenge of postpartum OCD had I been sitting in my home sobbing my eyes out trying to figure out what was wrong with me and what to do about it.

The video, entitled "Post Partum Depression: How to Get Back in Sync", annoyed me. (And by the way, postpartum is one word.) It's not that exercising to improve health during PPD isn't important. It can be a very good tool in your arsenal for fighting back against postpartum depression. But still.

First, postpartum depression does not "range from the blues to debilitating depression". Please get that right. Postpartum depression is not the same thing as thebaby blues. One is a normal hormonal adjustment period and the other is a mental illness.

Second, postpartum depression isn't only caused by hormones, broken-down bodies and lack of sleep. She doesn't mention many of the other risk factorsthat are not caused by or linked to the impact of birth on our bodies.

Third, and most importantly to me, her #1 suggestion for women who have PPD to get "back in sync" should NOT be to exercise. It should be tocall your doctor ASAP to talk about your symptoms. Hello?!

And the #2 suggestion of most of the experts I know wouldn't be that you should go outside because vitamin D has been "proven to help alleviate postpartum depression". In fact, I checked and can't find a definitive study stating that — from what I have found, the studies that exist have indicated the need for further studies.

I thought maybe it was just this video. So I went to look at other places where they've covered the topic of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Like this one, where the doctor answering a question about depression during pregnancy doesn't even mention the term "antenatal depression" or how a previous history of depression can lead to it. It just seemed like an answer that wasn'tparticularly informed.

And then there's this one on how a new mom should "deal with post-partum depression" (again, it's just one word) and it just feels like asking for professional help is secondary or an afterthought to moms handling it chiefly on their own by getting more sleep and making to-do lists.

Have these people had postpartum depression??!?! Do they understand what it's like?!

Sleep andexercise are good. They should definitely be on the list of things to do. But this is a serious illness that doesn't just go away once you "take some time to adjust to what has changed until you feel like you are back in control of your life".

I have to say I'm a big fan of Momversation, which is also owned by the company that owns Parents Ask. I was kind of surprised that they aren't covering this topic more carefully. I think if people are looking to you for information on such an important topic as this, you need to get some better experts. I'd be happy to supply you with a list.

What do you think, ladies? Is it just me?

June 23, 2010 4:19 pm Filed Under: Postpartum Depression, PPD in the Media

The One Where I Try To Be Charitable to the Judgmental Moms

By Katherine Stone June 18, 2010

My first child is one of those awesome children … you know the kind. (Or maybe you don't. That's cool too.)Jack is very sweet. He knows right from wrong. He is pretty honest. He is safety-conscious. He's friendly. Just an all-around great kid.

I thought it was me.

Before I knew better, my husband and I thought it was because we weresimply the world's greatest parents.

LOOK AT THIS! Our first child and he's sheer perfection. Aren't we just amazing?! We are so impressed with ourselves. We should run around dispensing advice to all the other parents, because clearly we've got this down to a science.

I'll give youone example of how this played out. At three months on the dot,Jack started sleeping through the night. The kid was a champion sleeper. Never got up. Took naps. In fact, he napped until he was 5 years old. (Yes, you heard me right.) So when my friends had children who wouldn't sleep, I'd beSURE to tell them what to do. Just put him in bed. Shut the door. Don't let her out. Give them a bunch of exercise before naptime. Read this or that book. Don't put up with it.

Blah, blah, blah, BLAH.

Then I had my fabulous Madden. God was laughing hysterically at me because he knew just what was coming my way … and I deserved it.Madden didn't sleep through the night until she was 11 months old (!). We did the same exact stuff we did with Jack, but Madden couldn't have cared LESS. We tried every baby book method known to man. It didn't work. And naps? Madden hates naps. If there's stuff going on, she wants to be part of it, so forget napping. And then, of course, she's a basketcase when she doesn't get a nap.

Madden has been such a gift to me. She has taught me that each person is different. She has taught me that each person is special in their own way. She has taught me that no one is perfect. Jack isn't perfect — he just makes more sense to me because we have the same type of personality. I've learned that he does, indeed have flaws, as does everyone. Madden isn't perfect either, but she's also equally wonderful in her own way. I adore them both.

NEVER again will I act like I know everything about parenting. I only know what I've tried that works, and what I've tried that hasn't, and that those things really only apply to my own children and not others. I've learned that I don't know everything. I only THOUGHT I knew everything until experience showed me I was wrong.

The moms out there who judge women with postpartum depression only THINK they know everything. They haven't had an experience to show them how wrong they are.

I hope for their sake they never will.

June 18, 2010 10:50 am Filed Under: Awareness

More Moms Weigh In on the Myths of Motherhood & Postpartum Depression

By Katherine Stone June 17, 2010

Pursuant to the post I wrote earlier this week on the myths perpetuated in the blogosphere by some moms who think motherhood is all wonderful and fabulous and perfect and that anyone who doesn't think so is wrong, more moms who've hadpostpartum depressionhave weighed in. Check 'em out:

PPD is NOT Trendy from Peanut Butter in My Hair

Seems I Need to Be More Explicit About My PPD Symptoms So the Interwebs Will Believe Me from O My Family

this is me. angry. from depressionsandconfessions

Awesome, ladies!

June 17, 2010 9:44 am Filed Under: Warrior Moms

CafeMom Launches Depression Support Center, Features PPD

By Katherine Stone June 17, 2010

I heard from CafeMom last week about a new feature they're offering on their site. It's called the Depression Support Center. They launched this new section of their site to provide a central resource for mothers experiencing emotional health issues, from depression to bipolar to anxiety disorders. Because of the large number of moms on the site experiencing PPD, they told me postpartum depression will be a major focus of the center. They’ll also be having regular ‘Ask the Expert’ features to answer CafeMommember questions — this week it's Shoshanna Bennett.

For those of you who don't know, CafeMom is the top internet site for moms, reaching nearly 7 million moms per week. I'm glad they're working to offer good information to their many members on PPD that comes from real experts.