Act to Educate Others About PPD
October 24, 2007 by kate baggott
Filed under Baby Care, Breastfeeding, Mental Health
Today is a blogging day of action in support of education about and the treatment of post partum or post natal depression. For up to a year after giving birth, women can experience horrific mood swings, feelings of worthlessness, fears of a conspiracy to harm them or their baby, or a numbness to all of their experiences. This is a hormonal condition that, in it’s most severe form, post partum psychosis, has lead women to harm themselves and their families.
I’ve written about the threat of post partum depression more often than I care to remember. It isn’t any less of a problem as a result.
<>Two American senators, Robert Menendez, (D-NJ) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) are sponsoring The Mothers Act that is meant to ensure new women are educated about PPD, screened for the condition, and offered treatment where necessary. If you are a U.S. Citizen who votes, I urge you to learn more about the Mothers Act and write your senate representatives to demand they support the bill.
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Thanks for this post Kate. Your right, although writing about our illnesses can temporarily relieve the stress of the moment, it sadly can’t get rid of the bigger problem. Depression is something I’ve dealt with most of my life, but it tends to get a bit worse post partum. Bring on the meds.
Thank you so much for posting today and supporting Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act. Let’s hope people keep writing and calling into tomorrow, because I hear the phone lines were pretty busy today. Women have so much power and we sometimes forget to use it. You have helped so many women with PPD, and I am forever grateful!
I missed the Day of Action, but of course I support education, screening and treatment.
Thanks for your support of the MOTHERS Act. Too often postpartum depression is a problem that goes unnoticed, and most women with PPD never receive any type of treatment. PPD is a treatable illness, and it is essential that we continue to educate ourselves and others about this important issue.
For more information on PPD, visit us at The MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health