This is big. BabyCenter has released the results of its survey of more than 1,400 mothers, and their true experiences with the Baby Blues, anxiety, and yes – Postpartum Depression.
Reading through this article, I had mixed feelings. It is always liberating and validating to see new research on PPD: how common it is, how much more seriously it is being taken. But it saddens me to know that so many new moms are feeling like I did. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. It troubles me even more to discover that women are still not getting enough help and support for PPD.
Still, important surveys like this help to raise awareness, which is the best way to make sure that new mothers will one day get all the support and treatment they might need. I urge you to read through the results of the survey! Here’s the link. And here are some highlights that I found particularly interesting or useful.
The numbers are still unknown – but at least 1 in 5 new moms experiences PPD.
We know that 1 in 5 new mothers is diagnosed with PPD. But in this survey, over half of the mothers who did not receive a diagnosis, still “felt sad, miserable, or very anxious following childbirth.”
Awareness is growing, but stigma still exists.
Great news: over 90 percent of moms knew what PPD was. But still, 2 in 5 of the women diagnosed with PPD did not seek treatment.
“According to the survey, the biggest roadblocks keeping women from seeking treatment were the belief that they could overcome PPD on their own, and embarrassment and guilt over the way they were feeling.”
Moms with PPD don’t seem all that sad.
Brochures about Postpartum Depression might feature a crying mother – but the real face of PPD might be a forced smile! According to BabyCenter, “most women with a postpartum mood disorder predominantly feel anxiety, rather than sadness or other typical symptoms of depression.” Other symptoms might include trouble sleeping or concentrating, anger or mood swings, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks… Of all the symptoms listed, only one has to do with crying.
Friendship and support really help.
The good news! 57 percent of moms said that talking with a friend or family member (usually another mom) helped them feel better. Katherine Stone of Postpartum Progress described it as a “massive sense of relief.” Understanding that you’re not alone, and that there is nothing wrong with you, is incredibly powerful.
Surveys like this one paint a clear picture: most women go through some emotional and psychological changes after childbirth. And while that is nothing to be ashamed of, it’s very common for women to feel as though they are “defective” or a bad mother. As awareness of PPD grows, it is my hope that we can also reduce those feelings of shame and embarrassment, so that women will get the help they need to grow.
What are your thoughts?
I would love to hear your comments and what you think of the survey. Here’s the link again. Can you relate to any of it, and if yes, how so? Let’s get the conversation going!
With Love & Mommy Hugs…