Today a read a new comment on the post “When a Depressed Spouse Refuses Help” and was inspired to write a long response. It got long enough that I decided to make it a separate post for everyone to see more easily.

Every now and then, I’m reminded just how connective mental health problems can be. By that, I mean how much one person’s depression can touch everyone else in their family. Depression is truly a family affair.

[Postpartum Depression and PMDD - Hope For Help]

Today I’m participating in the APA (American Psychological Association) Blog Party! I’m going to take my turn by telling my postpartum depression story and share some thoughts on the general topic of mental health.

Last week I caught part of an article in Time Magazine called “Small Child, Big Worries.” It focuses on a diagnostic manual developed by a non-profit child advocacy group called “Zero To Three”.

On Wednesday, the nation got news of a tragedy in my home state of Nebraska. You’ve most likely heard at least a blip about the school shooting that happened in Omaha

It’s the time for decorations, holiday meals, and wrapped presents.  So what’s wrong?  It could be nothing, it could be everything.  Depression is more common than you might think at the holidays.  If you or someone in your family has a history of depression, you might see some of the typical symptoms popping up.

Depression can even affect someone who’s never experienced it before.  Why does this happen and what can you do about it?  Let’s take a look.

Hello everyone.  Today I’m going to give you a little update on my exercise and its effect on my mental well being.  I’ve been exercising consistently for almost two months and I think it’s paying off!

I have yet to find a month when I have absolutely no symptoms related to premenstrual dysphoric disorder.  That being said, I’m pleased to find that this month seemed quite a bit better than others.  I can’t be absolutely certain that my exercise routine takes all the credit.  However, it’s something worth watching for the future.  So far, so good.

The publicity from last week about postpartum depression has really made me think.  Saying depression isn’t chemical and telling people to “get over it” are fairly typical makings for a stigma.  The other, and even more controversial angle of this, is medication.  Not only is psychotropic medication a hot topic anyway, it is particularly so for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding.

Professional And Personal Viewpoint About Medication

I want to clarify that I am not a medical doctor.  I am a mental health therapist with experience observing people progress through depression both with and without medication.

In lieu of yesterday’s depression stigma firestorm, I feel compelled to write this addendum.  For anyone who thinks they or someone they love may be suffering from postpartum depression, this post is for you.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

A brief overview of postpartum symptoms so you can examine your personal situation.  This text is taken straight from the Postpartum Support International website:

*  Are you feeling sad or depressed?
* Do you feel more irritable or angry with those around you?
* Are you having difficulty bonding with your baby?
* Do you feel anxious or panicky?
* Are you having problems with eating or sleeping?
* Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out
of your mind?
* Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”?
* Do you feel like you never should have become a mother?
* Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?

Clarification: Even if you do not have thoughts of harming your child, having several of the other symptoms may still mean you have postpartum depression. 

Today I received an urgent email from Katherine Stone, a blogger/advocate for postpartum depression.  She and others came across an insulting article on AOL news regarding the South Carolina mother accused of drowning her children earlier this week.

Postpartum Depression Comments Generalized And Uninformed

Certainly, the news of these tragic little ones being killed by their mother is sad, horrifying, and hard to comprehend.  Thoughts of Susan Smith may immediately come to mind if you were watching the news in 1994.  So writing a detailed story about this is something AOL has the right to do.

Where they went wrong was quoting a criminal profiling expert who had some very insulting things to say about postpartum depression.  She considered postpartum depression a “crock” (as a defense) because there was really no chemical imbalance involved.