It’s taken a long time for me to finally work up the courage to write this post and open up about my experience with maternal depression. This isn’t something I’ve ever considered speaking openly about before, but I know it’s important to let others know they aren’t alone in dealing with this very real issue.
My story begins shortly after having my first child. The joy that comes along with being a new mother was so incredibly overwhelming and pure, but not too far down the road, something shifted inside of me. I started to feel an underlying sadness that kept creeping into my life, no matter how hard I tried to push it away. All of these emotions made sense naturally - taking on the responsibility of being a mother is a lot, after all - but things seemed to be getting worse instead of better as time passed.
I knew that this wasn’t just standard “baby blues,” something else was definitely going on and I wasn’t comfortable enough to open up about it at the time, especially during such a difficult period in my life. The guilt surrounding having such dark thoughts while trying to take care of and be there for my child only made matters worse. I eventually decided to bring it up with my doctor and openly share what was going on in my head. It was scary, honestly, and quite emotional - but with the help of caring professionals and supportive loved ones by my side, I was able to slowly start turning the corner and feeling more like myself again over time.
If you’re going through something similar right now, please don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help if needed - even just talking about your thoughts can really make a difference! There’s nothing wrong with needing extra support when bringing a new life into this world; it doesn’t mean you don’t love or aren’t capable of taking care of your child - in fact it makes you even stronger!
5 Likes
Hi there,
I just wanted to start off by saying that I’m sorry you’re dealing with this and I’m so proud of you for having the courage to reach out and share your experience. It can be a very scary thing to talk about especially when you’re already carrying so much responsbility as a mother.
It sounds like you’ve already taken a brave step forward for yourself and that’s amazing! As someone who has been through parenthood myself, I understand how difficult it can be sometimes, but even moreso with the added pressure of trying to manage emotions that seem much bigger than the actual situation at hand. That’s why it’s important to take the time to prioritize your own mental wellbeing and not feel ashamed or guilty over needing extra help - life is full of hard moments, but they don’t have to be faced alone.
If it helps in any way, please know there are many of us out here who understand what you’re going through and we’re sending our positive thoughts for your journey ahead. No matter what lies ahead for you, please remember that having maternal depression does not define you or make you any less of a mother/caregiver - if anything it shows how strong and resilient you are as an individual
Hi there! I just wanted to start off by saying that I’m really proud of you for having the courage to open up about your experience with maternal depression and for seeking help- it’s definitely not an easy thing to do. As a 58 year old mother with a few decades of motherhood behind me, I can relate to so much of what you said about feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable after having a child. It did take me some time to get used to caring for little ones back when my kids were young, but I was fortunate enough to have tremendous support from family and friends which made it all manageable in the end.
I understand how difficult it can be trying take care of yourself while also trying to be there for your child at the same time, especially in challenging circumstances. What’s important is that you know you can get through this and don’t carry around any guilt or shame because this is something beyond your control and completely normal. Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help if you feel like you need it - there are so many resources available these days that can provide invaluable assistance when dealing with issues like maternal depression.
Remember - even though motherhood will bring along its share of struggles from time to time, there is also so much
Hi there - thank you so much for sharing your story with us here. It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few years and I can relate to the feeling of having difficulty adjusting to a big life change. I know all too well how scary and overwhelming it can feel to try and reach out for help during this time, but please know that you are not alone! There are professionals and support systems out there that exist specifically to help people in situations like yours, and although it was difficult for you, making the choice to ask for help was 100% the right thing to do.
I admire your strength for finding the courage to express your feelings despite the guilt surrounding them - you are absolutely capable of taking care of your child and having these thoughts doesn’t mean any less! Having someone who understands listen is incredibly powerful; you should be proud of yourself for taking those steps towards really understanding what’s going on inside of instead of pushing away those feelings.
The journey (okay maybe don’t use this word) towards feeling like yourself again may take some time, but if you’re able to keep reaching out and talking about what’s going on in your head soon enough, things will eventually start looking brighter. Please keep in mind
Hi there,
I completely understand what you mean. I didn’t become a parent until I was 42 and it was a really big adjustment for me. It’s very brave of you to open up and share your story; it can be so hard to talk about these kinds of things, but it is so important.
I can relate to the emotions that come with being responsible for a new life at this stage in my life. You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed or an underlying sadness - those are totally normal feelings after experiencing such a big change. And I completely understand why it may have been difficult or scary to address these emotions with a doctor or loved ones. That takes tremendous courage, and the fact that you took those steps shows how strong you are!
If anyone is dealing with similar feelings, please don’t be afraid to reach out for help if needed - from friends, family or healthcare professionals! Mental health experts will have great resources and guidance when it comes to these feelings surrounding parenting, so you don’t have to go through it alone.
Take care of yourself and know that even if the adjustment is challenging at times, your own strength and resilience will help get you through anything thrown your way.
Hi there,
I want to start by saying that I’m sorry you’re struggling and feeling overwhelmed during this time. Personally, I understand how hard it can be to open up about these sensitive topics - especially when you’re trying your best to raise a child and feel the guilt of not living up to society’s expectations of perfection.
While I can only imagine some of the stress and emotions that you’re going through right now, please know that you are absolutely not alone in this. A lot of new mothers are dealing with similar issues and the most important thing is that you have recognized what’s happening and aren’t afraid to talk about it. Tackling maternal depression takes a great deal of strength and courage, so try to take this as an opportunity for growth rather than something negative. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your child - if not more!
If you ever need someone to talk to or need extra support on this journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You deserve every bit of compassion and understanding along the way ― stay strong!