Celebrity Parent Article - Jessica Rowe
I suffered post natal depression shortly after the birth of my first child, Allegra. I realised something was terribly wrong when she was about six weeks old. I was feeling like I was losing my mind. And it was more than just sleep deprivation. I was having scary, obsessive thoughts and I was terribly anxious. Breastfeeding was an absolute nightmare and the career that I had spend a lifetime building up was being pulled out from under me. I tried to struggle on, on my own, keeping my feelings to myself for a couple of weeks. But they wouldn’t go away. I realised that I had to talk to my husband about how I was feeling. It was one of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had. I felt that I was letting him down, and my new darling daughter. Once though I voiced how I was feeling I felt a strange feeling of relief. The hardest thing for me, someone who had always been in control and strong, was admitting that I couldn’t cope and needed help. The next day I rang my obstrecian, she saw me that afternoon, and she arranged for me to see a psychiatrist later that week. Then, with the help of my loved ones, medication and regular visits to my psychiatrist I started to see a way through the fog, the obsessive thoughts disappeared and I felt like myself again. I still see my doctor and was obviously anxious that I would again have PND following the birth of my second baby, Giselle. Thankfully, again with the help of my doctor and loved ones, I haven’t had PND this time around. If you’re worried about yourself, or a loved one talk to someone- it might be your GP, midwife, partner or close friend that you can reach out to. Please, don’t suffer in silence, on your own. PND can be so isolating- as everyone is telling you this must be the best time of your life- when it sure doesn’t feel like it! I know that by getting onto it early- I was able to recover faster and enjoy being a mum. Being a mum is hard enough at times without battling depression. Beyondblue have a terrific website that has information about PND www.beyondblue.org.au I’m passionate about removing the stigma of mental illness, I grew up with a mum who has bipolar disorder, and than having had PND myself, I feel very strongly about talking openly about my experiences. I would like to see mental illness treated like any other illness. People with physical ailments get sympathy, understanding and aren’t embarrassed about seeking treatment. I would like to see the same for people with a mental illness. 6 CommentsFeedAdd Comment |
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I was thrilled when Emma asked me to launch her book, “Attack of the Fifty Foot Hormones”, as I’ve been a fan of Emma’s work for a long time and as I’m a huge supporter of what she is doing with her book- which is offering an emotional survival guide for mums to be and new mums. Nothing prepares you for the massive changes that having a baby does to your life. Being a mum is the best thing that I’ve ever done- but it’s also the hardest and most challenging. It’s essential for new mums to realise they’re not the only ones struggling with having a new baby.. There is quite a lot of information around about the physical changes that happen once you become pregnant- but I can’t think of many books that offer a guide to your soul. Emma’s book does this beautifully with humour, honesty and plenty of practical, sensible advice.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Thank you for speaking out about PND, it is so debilitating and you are right, it does feel like there is a stigma attached to it that makes it difficult to talk to anyone.
Best of luck changing societies view about mental illness, it needs to happen. When the fear of what is happening to your mind is added to the pressure of feeling like a failure, feeling like you need to hide the "problem" and feeling unable to talk about it makes the struggle far worse.
Anyone suffering, take Jessica's advice, talk to someone, they might not understand what you are going through, but they can be there to support you.
Most importantly seek some medical advice. The symptoms can be treated and there is a range of options available for treatment - not all treatments involve medications.
Michelle
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Jessica, thankyou for being honest and sharing your story. We mums need to hear it.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009