“There are a number of causes of postnatal
depression, but being a ‘bad mother’ is not one of them.”
—Kylie Woolcock
Depression is a far more common
phenomenon than most of the non-depressed world is readily aware of. And of the
particular nuances of this black dog, postnatal depression seems just as common
as overall depression is.
One in six Australian mothers
experience depression postnatally.
Like all depressed people,
postnatally depressed women cry out from within themselves for support and
guidance to get through the troubled days of dark uncertainty.
What are the Reasons for Postpartum
Depression?
There are the reasons of
isolation, of a lack of anticipation, preparedness and awareness (who could
adequately prepare for every
eventuality for such a significant life change as the coming of a baby?), of
self-doubting, as well as the core deficits of self-concept. Deficits of
attachment are also linked.
But it is more useful to look at
some of the myths surrounding the prevalence of postnatal depression, and to
dispel them.
Dispelling 3 Myths of Postnatal
Depression
MYTH: Women who
suffer from postnatal depression are bad mothers.
Women who suffer from postnatal depression are not bad
mothers. The trouble with
depression is the doubting involved compounds, and thoughts of failing our
babies and our families start in unfounded ways. But the more we doubt, and the
more we entertain ourselves as failures, the more we block out signs of our
positive self-concept, only to invite evidence of negativity—of seeing the
failures in bright lights.
We should listen to the positive
sources of encouragement in our lives and believe them.
MYTH: Being
depressed will harm the baby.
Being depressed does not necessarily harm the baby. Especially when we admit our weakness, and we
draw upon strength from trusted others, with help also from psychotherapy, we
offset most of the possible negative effects on the baby. Getting our support
is vital, as is journeying with our doctors regarding medications where they
are required.
MYTH: Being
depressed lasts a long time.
Depressed mothers do not necessarily remain depressed over the
long term. The quicker we
get treatment in any form of depression, or in any mental illness for that
matter, the quicker our response of recovery. While some people will be prone
to longer term symptoms, most react well to available treatments.
***
Postnatal or postpartum depression
is as common as overall depression is. Many more women are affected than we
often realise. There is no shame in any depression. The quicker we ask for help
and get the treatment we need, the quicker we recover, generally.
© 2012 S. J.
Wickham.
General Reference: Kylie Woolcock, “Postnatal Depression” in Counselling in Practice, vol. 30:9 –
September 2011.
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