So everyone makes a big deal, because Alanis Morrissette is going to be on ABC’s “Good Morning America” talking about her experience with PPD. Which is a good thing. She’s using her voice to talk about something that we NEED to talk about a whole heck of a lot more.
Except, as usual, the media does a disservice to the hundreds of thousands of moms struggling right now who aren’t sure what’s happening to them or whether they need help.
They promote, promote, promote: a celeb is going to talk about her PPD. Everyone tunes in.
And then they offer almost no helpful information. They didn’t ask Alanis about what her PPD symptoms were. They didn’t ask her what her PPD treatment was. When Alanis suggests thoughtfully that women should reach out for help earlier than she did, they didn’t ask a follow up. How long did she wait? Why did she wait?
They lost an opportunity to educate millions of women about a very common and serious illness. Anyone who watched because they were seeking to understand probably left unenlightened. And I bet Alanis would have been more than willing to talk more about it.
GAH. I’m not going to bother linking to the interview, because it’s not particularly helpful. It’s not Alanis’ fault. It’s just more of the same from the media that doesn’t understand much at all about PPD.
About Katherine Stone
Katherine Stone
i AGREE! C’MON people this is serious I’ve dealt with postpartum depression and did not know where to go where to turn who to speak to about my thoughts and discouragement. we need more education on this topic.
I didn’t see this interview but how frustrating!! Still so much work to do!
I haven’t seen it but I’ll trust your assessment. Although I do hope that celebrity parents (Alana, Paltro, etc.) coming out in public will help remove some stigma/shame about PPD.