Postpartum Progress would be nothing without you. Yes, you. I'm pointing right at you. Can you see me pointing?Your comments, your input and your thoughts are what makethis placegreat. I love how each of you brings something different to the table.
Earlier this week I wrote about the concept of "happy pills", and many of you made such great comments I wanted to make sure everyone saw them. I'm going to highlight and respond to some of them here.
Lissa said:
I have always hated it when people say "being happy is a choice", because when I have been in the throws of depression, it is just not an option to "pull myself up by my bootstraps" and be happy. I really appreciate your explanation of how mental illness hid the choice from you.
I'm glad you made that point. Happiness is definitely a choice, but only when the choice is available for you to even make. The choice was taken away from me when I had postpartum OCD until I received effective treatment and I eventually got it back.
Badmummy said:
I use the term 'happy pills' to describe my anti-depressants …I say it tongue-in-cheek though, because the doctors and pyschiatrists (oh so many) that have prescribed these various medicines seem to think that they'll do just that – make me happy.
And Julie also said she hasreferred toher prescription as"happy pills" in order to make light of the situation:
I used the term, myself, when I was on antidepressants but not because they made me happy but, rather, because I preferred the euphemism to the actual word "antidepressants" …
I hope my post didn't make those of you who do use the term feel bad in any way. I was just trying to point out the fact that I don't like when people say it to denigrate the need for or usage of medication as treatment for postpartum depression. And plenty do.
Joan pointed out what a lot of us feel about our treatment. We weren't fooled into thinking that somehow medication would make our lives magically better or perfect.
As one who has tried multiple meds, waiting for the right one, I have never expected that they would make me instantly "happy" or remove the stress that a new baby brings. Rather, I just hope to live a life without feeling like a cell phone on vibrate from anxiety and without the crushing weight of a heavy, Army-style, wet felt blanket that depression can wrap around you and squeeze tightly and feel like it's taken everything from you. So, if a med can make me live my life without those horrible feelings – than that is what my son deserves.
Finally, I just loved this point from Christina:
No, they don't make you deliriously happy but I'm a more sane person thanks to them. This from a former anti-medication hippie. I still love my farmer's markets and what not but I'm not willing to suffer to prove a point.
All of the comments were great, not just the few I've pointed out here. So go back and check them out if this subject interests you!
Also, click here for more information on medication and postpartum depression.
