A young man named Robert Enke, the goalkeeperfor Germany's national soccer team, killed himself by jumping in front of a train this week. Just awful.
When writing abouthis suicideon Psych Central, Christine Stapleton wrote the following:
"Sit down, close your eyes and imagine – if you can – what it would feel like if you suffered from a reviled illness and believed that your child would be taken from you if word of your illness got out."
No need for guided imagery here, Christine. We don't need to close our eyes and imagine. The women who read this blog feel like that right now, or felt like that when they were sick with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. It's our greatest fear to lose our children, though most often unfounded. She goes on …
"People with cancer or heart disease or diabetes do not have these worries. They can focus on getting well. But not people with mental illnesses."
Stigma sucks. There's no excuse for it. God bless Robert Enke.
This a very real issue, it was tragic to read about Robert Enke. He was at his peak in terms of career and should have had everything to live for. God bless him.
I started crying when I read this news story yesterday. Awful what people suffer through in silence and fear. I hope he rests peacefully and that his family somehow manages through the grief.
So many people suffer and die alone fearful of losing their children. I'm so glad that I've made it. The edge sometimes gets far too close for comfort.
Thanks for posting about his story here. You're right, this is exactly how I, and many other PPD moms, have felt.