Talking about your PPD can be unimaginably tough. I remember how gut-wrenchingly difficult it was – slogging through mental mud, crying for hours, too scared to pick up the phone – to find a way to simply ask for help.
And then the hard part started!
When you have depression, especially postpartum depression, it may be difficult to think clearly, let alone to put your thoughts into some sort of explanation of the many reasons why you’re not feeling like a joyful, carefree mom.
So I put together some prompts that you can ask yourself, to help you talk about your PPD with your friends, your family, even your partner. The easiest way to do it is just to write down the answers to these questions in a private journal. You could also write a letter to your loved ones, if that is easier. Whatever feels best to you – just get your thoughts and feelings out onto the paper, and then, when you need them, you will have them!
These prompts should help you figure out how to talk about what is happening. You don’t need to answer all of them. You might not need any of them. But I hope they will help you to write your thoughts.
Then, when it’s time, all you need to do is read them off the page.
What are you feeling, physically and mentally?
What have you learned about yourself and about PPD?
What did you think motherhood was going to be like? What is the reality, and how is it different?
What do you want to say to your partner?
What do you want to say to your best friend?
What do you want to say to your parents?
What do you want to say to your doctor?
What do you wish somebody would say to you?
You can do this. Just start by writing one word … then the next … then another …
With Love and Mommy Hugs ~ Pamela
photos courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net