While I was away on vacation, I missed two more tragic stories in the news, one in Canada and one in Denver. I hate these storie — hate them — because they are just so preventable.
Before you read on, if you are vulnerable or suffering right now, don’t read on. It’s not necessary. Trust me.
In the Canadian case, fortunately the mother who attempted murder was not successful. Two things stand out to me about her story. One is that she lived in inner-city public housing, and we know that poverty is a risk factor for perinatal mental illness. The second is that she had only recently immigrated to Canada from Africa, and we know that being away from your familyand culture is also a risk factor. I hope she gets the help she needs.
In the Denver case, what stands out to me is that the mother who committed infanticide was a mental health counselor. People might besurprised by that fact, but I’m not.Doctors and clinicians are not immune to these illnesses, and we know that women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders often don’t recognize what’s happening to them, even those who are trained healthcare professionals.
In a recent in-depth story on AOL Health about the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, Dr. Delia Aldridge, service director of the Eating Disorder, Self Injury Recovery, and Women’s Programs at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, shares one reason why these women slip through the cracks.
“[Postpartum mood disorders] often go unrecognized,” says Aldridge. “In medical school, you do six weeks of psychiatryclerkship, and you don’t learn much about postpartum depression.”
I hope one day that changes.
It's gotta change. I find that so alarming! How could the medical community be so undereducated about something that is regrettably so common? That's just nuts.
Sharon, you bring to light an important fact: no one is immune to getting postpartum depression/ anxiety or OCD. I am an RN. After the birth of my daughter, I did not understand and accept the emotions and physical symptoms of postpartum depression/ OCD that I was experiencing. I was ashamed of the feelings and thoughts of sadness and fear that enveloped my world as a new mom. I kept on saying to myself that this was suppose to be a happy moment, right? My husband (also a health care professional) noticed that something was not right.It was our Lactation Consultant that linked us with a postpartum emotional support group. From there, we were able to get the support and get tied in with the appropriate resources to help me get better. It was and continues to be a journey, but it took my husband and I time to acknowledge and understand what we were experiencing was PPD. I learned about PPD in nursing school. But as a parent, it was hard to be objective about what I was experiencing. It was important to have someone tell me "that something was not right." We all need that someone (partner, family, friend, health care provider, etc.)…that support, regardless of who or what we are. Thank you to all those that have helped me!
I meant to address Katherine, not Sharon. I apologize…
Still too many medical practitioners spend too little attention on the mind and the funny things it can do after the body has had a change in anyway. Body and mind work together and although it is changing a little bit the old school practioners still don't accept this. This is too bad and often results in sad stories like this.
Isn't it? Given how many people suffer mental health problems and seek help from their primary care physicians, it's just tragic that they don't receive more training in this area.
I hear from many healthcare pros who've had PPD — nurses, pediatricians, primary care doctors, etc. Several have told me that even though they had training in this area and could recognize PPD in others, they didn't recognize it in themselves initially. Given how much depression can affect thinking, insight and your view of yourself, it doesn't surprise me one bit.
Oh man 🙁 This is so preventible and so tragic. A lady here recently left her baby in a carseat on the side of the road with a bottle thrown after her. At first I was horrified, but then I remembered my experience with PPD and thought she had to be going through something. I felt horrible for initially judging her.
She was single, taking care of a newborn by herself, etc (I’m single, but I have help. I started to empathize so much with her when I wondered what it would be like to not have help). She was overwhelmed and probably suffering from PPD or PPP.
I hate these stories so much. They inspire horror and disgust for mothers, but really we should be trying to help them and empathizing. I’m so grateful for this website because it’s the first place where I haven’t seen other women degrading sufferers of PPD and other perinatal mental illnesses and saying they shouldn’t be mothers, etc.
I’m just really grateful. We all have some sort of baby blues after birth and every mother has a moment that’s considered a breaking point, especially when they’re alone and it seems like too much to handle. Many moms act like they’ve never had these moments because if you come forward, you’re considered a horrible mom. It’s so awful and so tragic that these things happen when we could have prevented them with care and with providing new moms with help. No one tells you about PPD or baby blues! They just ask if you feel depressed/want to hurt your children (at least that’s what I was asked throughout my pregnancy until I switched doctors, and after). Who wants to answer those questions and risk social services or an arrest when you just need help and understanding?!?!
Thank you for bringing attention to these issues. I am so grateful as a new mom.