I’m here to share my story so that others going through the same thing know they’re not alone. I have been struggling with perinatal depression for a few months now, and it has been a tough journey.
The symptoms of peripartum depression differ from person to person, but for me it came in the form of fatigue, anxiety, hopelessness, and melancholy. I often felt overwhelmed and like I couldn’t handle anything. It was hard to even get out of bed each day—even simple tasks like making breakfast seemed too difficult—and it only added to feelings of worthlessness on top of everything else.
Navigating depression with or without pregnancy can be challenging but trying to do both at once can feel impossible sometimes. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was getting up and doing something no matter how small, because that helps make you feel control over life and furthers progress. Trying out different activities–spending time with friends, exercising regularly or starting a hobby–can also help to bring some normalcy back into life while dealing with depression.
Know one thing: you are not alone! Talking about my experience openly has made an incredible difference on my mental health journey and connected me to other people who understand the struggles associated with perinatal depression. Everyone’s story is different when living with this condition, but we all have one common thread: we want what is best for our family and ourselves as we make our way through it together!