Wow, if you look at the last time I posted, it has been some time. Suffice to say that my life remains busy. Much has happened since that last post in the world of Nebraska postpartum depression. I will put on a few more posts to summarize the action over the year. This can help those across the country, and especially Nebraskans, keep up to date with postpartum goings-on.
I'll be back more than once a year, promise!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, January 29, 2007
Coping methods for postpartum depression and PMDD
I have used several different methods to cope with the symptoms of PMDD and the after-effects of having PPD. Initially, I used anti-depressant medication, counseling, and made sure I was around girlfriends at least once a week. This was all very important most especially as I went through my third (and much better) postpartum experience. I have also participated in yoga classes and done yoga in my home.
I say all of this because I want to emphasize the great variety of ways to manage PPD and PMDD symptoms (PMDD is not uncommon after having postpartum depression). I have looked into some dietary options such as adding more Omega 3's to my diet. This is apparently known to have some positive effect on moods, though I don't have facts prepared for this entry. More on another day! I do frequently put ground flaxseed in my hot cereal in the morning. The good news is this doesn't have any added weird flavor at all. I still need to do better with taking my Omega 3 suppliment, but I'm sure that would help too.
The thing I have probably found to be the most helpful has the been the yoga. I intend to offer more in future entries about this topic. However, I can say right away that it has helped me shift my mental focus from "poor me" to "wonderful me and others." The breathing focus is soothing and the physical activity is great. And it's comforting to hear so often that where you are with your ability to do poses and breathing is all OK. Not judgemental, it's a full process.
So, all of this is food for thought. I am sure there are other ways women have coped with their symptoms, or learned new ways to enliven themselves after coming up from depression. I would like to hear anyone else's thoughts of this.
Erika
I say all of this because I want to emphasize the great variety of ways to manage PPD and PMDD symptoms (PMDD is not uncommon after having postpartum depression). I have looked into some dietary options such as adding more Omega 3's to my diet. This is apparently known to have some positive effect on moods, though I don't have facts prepared for this entry. More on another day! I do frequently put ground flaxseed in my hot cereal in the morning. The good news is this doesn't have any added weird flavor at all. I still need to do better with taking my Omega 3 suppliment, but I'm sure that would help too.
The thing I have probably found to be the most helpful has the been the yoga. I intend to offer more in future entries about this topic. However, I can say right away that it has helped me shift my mental focus from "poor me" to "wonderful me and others." The breathing focus is soothing and the physical activity is great. And it's comforting to hear so often that where you are with your ability to do poses and breathing is all OK. Not judgemental, it's a full process.
So, all of this is food for thought. I am sure there are other ways women have coped with their symptoms, or learned new ways to enliven themselves after coming up from depression. I would like to hear anyone else's thoughts of this.
Erika
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Postpartum depression recommended reading
If you look off to the right, I have just added a new feature for recommended reading. There are some great books on postpartum depression and related topics. I have not read very many myself, but I do intend to get through as many as I can over time. If you see a book you've read and have a comment, please feel free to post. Also, if you have a recommendation that you do not see listed, post that as well. Thank you, and enjoy.
Starting postpartum depression blog
This is such an exciting experience, starting to reach out to those affected by PPD, PMDD, and other perinatal mood disorders. Just to clarify, the term "perinatal" includes all of pregnancy and up to a year following. Depression and anxiety is more common during and after than people usually think. I will have some more details on that in later posts. Right now, I am trying to get the hang of doing a blog and getting some basic info out. Please check back for more.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Greetings from a new blog
Hello - My name is Erika and I have created this site to increase awareness and outreach for women who have been through the pain and confusion of postpartum depression (PPD). I have been there twice with my oldest two children. I was diagnosed with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) when my middle child was about 1 1/2 years old. PMDD is a severe form of PMS that affects about 3% of women, and is somewhat commonly linked with postpartum depression. With that diagnosis, my doctor and I agreed that I had also experienced PPD with my two previous pregnancies. With antidepressants and some brief counseling, I was much improved in time for my third pregnancy. What a complete difference! Motherhood was still stressful and busy, but no longer so personally painful and isolating. Those were the darkest 3 years of my life, when I had PPD and PMDD undiagnosed. I couldn't always hide my symptoms, but I don't know that people in my family really understood what was happening in the first place.
What makes this all even more interesting is that I am a mental health counselor, and was working in an agency full time during all of this. I know my coworkers cared about me, but I did a lot of work to hide my problems. It was kind of like drowning at a lifeguard convention. Thankfully, that knowledge about depression (even though I succombed to it) eventually prodded me to seek help from my doctor. That's when the PMDD diagnosis occurred. Ever since then, I personally promised that I would do whatever I could to help, particularly in my midwestern community, prevent others from having to go through multiple pregnancies with various forms of undiagnosed depression like I did. This is a work in progress and there is much going on to increase awareness and improve access to help in all kinds of forms - internet, phone, email, in person counseling, etc. I truly hope that if you have found this blog, you will find it helpful either as a someone seeking to understand postpartum depression or a woman seeking understanding.
Thanks,
Erika
What makes this all even more interesting is that I am a mental health counselor, and was working in an agency full time during all of this. I know my coworkers cared about me, but I did a lot of work to hide my problems. It was kind of like drowning at a lifeguard convention. Thankfully, that knowledge about depression (even though I succombed to it) eventually prodded me to seek help from my doctor. That's when the PMDD diagnosis occurred. Ever since then, I personally promised that I would do whatever I could to help, particularly in my midwestern community, prevent others from having to go through multiple pregnancies with various forms of undiagnosed depression like I did. This is a work in progress and there is much going on to increase awareness and improve access to help in all kinds of forms - internet, phone, email, in person counseling, etc. I truly hope that if you have found this blog, you will find it helpful either as a someone seeking to understand postpartum depression or a woman seeking understanding.
Thanks,
Erika
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