Today is my birthday, and so I wanted to share with you my birthday wish …
I wish that some day every woman who is pregnant or postpartum and has overwhelming feelings of sadness, or anxiety, or rage, or hopelessness, or has intrusive thoughts, or hallucinations, or feels the need to run away, or give up, or hurt herself, or hurt someone else, will immediately think:
I know what this is.
I know that it is temporary and treatable.
I know that it is not my fault.
I know exactly who to call.
I know that there is nothing wrong with getting treatment.
I know where to find women who have gone through this too who can give me support.
I know that it will take a while for me to get better, but I will keep persevering for the sake of myself, my child(ren) and my family.
I know that I will be okay.
I know that I am a good mom.
I am new to your blog…I'm so glad that someone is addressing the issues of postpartum depression and I can't wait to read more.
I've struggled with pretty severe depression my entire life, and it's never been as bad as now that I'm a mom. I have three kids, 9, 2, and six months, and I feel like I'm going crazy most days. I get so much comfort out of reading about other people going through the same thing. Thanks a lot and I look forward to reading more!
Happy birthday–and I love this post. I wish those things, too, and you are making it more possible every day.
Happy Birthday!
Love the affirmations. This one got me through: "I know that it will take a while for me to get better, but I will keep persevering for the sake of myself, my child(ren) and my family."
And I am happy to report that I have been PND (Post -Natal Depression it is called in Australia) for 18 months now after battling with the beast for 4 years after my 2nd child.
PS – I have only discovered your site. xo
Happy Birthday Katherine! Thanks to all your efforts, those of us lucky to have found your community are already living your wishes!
Me too!
Thank you for your amazing work, and happy birthday!
Thanks to you I was able to say most of these things the VERY DAY that I started having postpartum OCD symptoms.
My daughter is 13 weeks old. Thanks to Postpartum Progress I am not missing out on the joy that is my newborn like so many other women with perinatal mood disorders have. I sought treatment immediately, I am getting better, and I love my daughter and being a mom.
Thank you, and Happy Birthday. Do something nice for yourself today!
Happy birthday Katherine.
I hope all of your birthday wishes come true.
With respect and admiration-
Kate
happiest birthday fuzzies to you today, my friend! and I agree…someday it will be…we just need to keep talking about it!
Love it! Happy b-day Katherine! And I know through this website, you already make many women think those wonderfully reassuring thoughts.
All the best B-day Girl!
Happy Birthday, Katherine!
You have an awesome birthday wish there. One day…
Very nice, thanks so much. I'm hosting t-day, might need some napkins. Happy Birthday, Katherine :-)!
I hope someday I know those things. 16 months later and it feels like I will never get well. Postpartum OCD is a monster! I love the affirmations, thank you for sharing them. I am going to use them along with others I keep repeating until my brain "gets it."
I hope that you have a wonderul birthday my friend and when you blow put your candles, I hope that your wishes come true and then some!
Happy Birthday.
Man. If only they would pass this list out when we give birth and insist it is hung on our bathroom mirror at home…..