Thank God for the internet and blogging. Else how would we get to read all of these great stories and share in other women's triumphs over perinatal mood and anxiety disorders like postpartum depression. Here are some amazing women.
Sophie in the Moonlight on the holidays, postpartum depression, and NOT being Suuuuupermom:
If the postpartum depression had won and my spectacular suicide attempt had been successful, I would not be here making magnets out of 29-cent wood cutouts, cheap acrylic paint, and sparkly beads with my boys. The kitchen counter has been covered with craft projects for two weeks. I never even remove the brown paper bags I opened up and taped down to save my counter. We simply sweep off the mess of the day and leave stuff ready for the next day. If the PPD had won, I would have missed out on the gazillion foamy sticker cards we've made. Foamy sticker ROCK!! OMG, the boys never get tired of them.
Medicated In Minnesota on the anniversary of her hospitalization and her daughter's second birthday:
I feel that my [postpartum depression] experience was almost two years ago and seriously, I should just get over it. But then I think, "why?" Why should I just get over it? It was a fully traumatic experience being hospitalized and away from my child. It was a traumatic experience to fear being a mother even though it was reality for me.
The Adventures of Anxiety Girl on how Stevie Wonder helped her through postpartum anxiety:
Dancing with Stevie became a family affair & helped get me out of my head & into my body. Many mornings, I'd set the alarm clock to wake us up to this music. At 7 o'clock the horns would begin, and even if I woke up feeling off, my legs would start twitching to move and I would get myself up to dance. Slowly the other sleepy heads who had made their way into our bed in the wee hours would begin dancing, too, and it was a party. My 6 yr. old always wanted to hear "Signed Sealed Delivered" & we would shout out the lyrics as we swung around the room.
I feel the exact same way about Stevie Wonder.
Hmmm…I think cyberspace swallowed my comment when I was attempting to publish.
I was saying that I love this post, and especially the image of mama-and-kids dancing to Stevie Wonder. Lovely.
But now that I am far past my suicidal ppd days, it struck me as funny, in an ironic and totally macabre and probably inappropriate way, that google reader cut off your title to read, "Postpartum Depression: Letting Go of Being." That's certainly how it felt at the time! I am immensely glad, though, that for me it turned out more like the actual title of your post than the google reader version.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I
dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I
dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
I love this post because it illustrates the small, meaningful, seemingly little things that helped these women cope and reflect on things. While this stuff might seem small, I can tell it meant the world to these brave women who are willing to share their stories. Thanks for connecting us to even more survivors.
Hi…
That is a nice post indeed. I liked your way of presenting the ideas. Good job. Keep it up!
It's great to see fresh, creative ideas that have never been done before.
I absolutely love this post. Thank you for sharing the stories and struggles of other moms. I especially love the image of mom and kiddos dancing as they wake up. I might just set my alarm to Stevie Wander.
Great blog. Thank you for sharing!