Comments on Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity: On Feeling Whole Again - Handling Postpartum Depre...

Oh Darlene. Thank you. :) Hugs right back to you.

2012-01-30T13:11:28.600-06:00

Oh Darlene. Thank you. :) Hugs right back to you.

Jessica - Thank you so much for your comment. And ...

2012-01-30T13:11:10.739-06:00

Jessica - Thank you so much for your comment. And I'm so sorry to hear about your husband! I was really surprised when I was reading about PPD that around 20% of men experience this type of depression. It's hard for me to imagine but I know it goes so much further than hormones--trying to handle the life change can be enormous!

Just a short note here Trish. I just wanted to let...

2012-01-26T11:44:18.593-06:00

Just a short note here Trish. I just wanted to let you know I emailed you privately so keep an eye out for it. Hugs to you.

I thought you would get alot of replies as its som...

2012-01-25T10:19:51.541-06:00

I thought you would get alot of replies as its something that is more comman than ppl care to mention. I had an 'interesting' experience after my son was born because it was my husband that had a nervous breakdown, it was a strange experience being a new mother and not only being awaken by a baby in the night but also being awoken by my husband having a full blown panic attack. In a way I have had a view from the other side, from the spouses point of view.

Really werid looking back and some bits like our doctors face when when all three of us walked into the surgery asking for medical help...for the dad.

Stacybuckeye - I'm so sorry that you went thro...

2012-01-24T21:48:19.619-06:00

Stacybuckeye - I'm so sorry that you went through similiar emotions with Gage. It's tough! Sometimes I wonder if it's better or worse to go into motherhood so blindly. But I'm always grateful for how much the good outweighs the bad. And yes, support is so key! Always grateful and blessed for that.

Lisa - Thank you for your sweet comment. And good ...

2012-01-24T21:45:43.640-06:00

Lisa - Thank you for your sweet comment. And good for you for letting yourself take care of you with your first baby. It is difficult to let those things go. I didn't at first but I do now just so I can have extra time with Elle when I'm at home. Dirty floors? Ehhhh--as long as the dog hair doesn't end up in the mouth. ;) But seriously--thank you. Hugs.

Bookfool - Silly blogger and the inflated comment ...

2012-01-24T21:43:46.542-06:00

Bookfool - Silly blogger and the inflated comment numbers. ;) Not really 92 commenters... Thank you thank you for your comment as I know how difficult it is to talk about these things. A strong support system is so underrated, I think and I know that I didn't use the one that I had quite enough (see comment from my mom above about my not accepting her help...). Hugs to you Nancy.

Heather - Thank you--I do hope that women can seek...

2012-01-24T21:41:44.884-06:00

Heather - Thank you--I do hope that women can seek the help that they need--as mothers I think we forget that we also need to take care of ourselves!

Samantha - I'm sorry that you went through thi...

2012-01-24T21:40:54.899-06:00

Samantha - I'm sorry that you went through this with your oldest as well. :( But I find comfort in knowing the other two were a little smoother. It is difficult feeling alone but I'm glad it doesn't have to be that way.

Melissa - I hope more and more women realize the n...

2012-01-24T21:40:00.213-06:00

Melissa - I hope more and more women realize the need to talk about these kinds of issues. It would be wonderful if women could continue to support one another without some of the competition. Thanks for your comments. :)

Meredith - Thank you so much. I'm glad we can ...

2012-01-24T21:38:42.965-06:00

Meredith - Thank you so much. I'm glad we can share these things with one another. :)

Irene - I hope that things are going more smoothly...

2012-01-24T21:38:02.960-06:00

Irene - I hope that things are going more smoothly for your niece. It can be such a scary and isolating feeling. It's wonderful to feel like one's self again!

Belle Wong - I haven't heard of the Baby Blues...

2012-01-24T21:36:35.932-06:00

Belle Wong - I haven't heard of the Baby Blues comic strip but I'm really curious now!! And yes--laughter cures so many ailments, doesn't it? Thank you for your sweet comment.

Kim (Sophistcated) - I find comfort in knowing tha...

2012-01-24T21:35:43.828-06:00

Kim (Sophistcated) - I find comfort in knowing that every baby experience is different as well. Hopefully next time is much smoother. ;)

Elise - Thank you so much--a great support system ...

2012-01-24T21:35:12.991-06:00

Elise - Thank you so much--a great support system is so crucial to new moms, I think. And It is important to take care of self not only for self but for the whole family! I know we're ALL happier for it. ;)

Kristi - Depression IS so hard to talk about--not ...

2012-01-24T21:34:19.172-06:00

Kristi - Depression IS so hard to talk about--not only because you're putting yourself out there and opening up in such a fragile way but also because it's hard for other people not going through it to understand. I find that when I'm not in down periods that I have a hard time even understanding my own depression! I really appreciate your comment and your honesty (and there's never TMI for me). ;)

Cessie - Great point about "accepting" a...

2012-01-24T21:32:28.127-06:00

Cessie - Great point about "accepting" and that makes a lot of sense. Sometimes just the adjustment can be so difficult but we do have to be forgiving and understanding of OURSELVES. I love the joy and spirit in your comment. You've brought a big smile to my face.

Picky - Thanks Jenn and I hope that your friend fi...

2012-01-24T21:28:33.201-06:00

Picky - Thanks Jenn and I hope that your friend finds some relief. I think it's incredibly difficult for a husband to understand what the woman is going through being a new mother. There's just something different about mothers and fathers (though both relationships are beautiful and important). Many happy wishes--you're a good friend to be understanding! :)

Meg - Thank you for the comment Megan--it is diffi...

2012-01-24T21:27:01.026-06:00

Meg - Thank you for the comment Megan--it is difficult and scary to feel depressed and especially to feel alone. But you're absolutely right that life does carry on. I'm glad you're seeing the "beautiful after." (love that!).

Nan - Thank you so so much for your wonderful comm...

2012-01-24T21:26:07.019-06:00

Nan - Thank you so so much for your wonderful comment. It is amazing the feeling once you become a parent. There is absolutely no way to describe or for others to know or understand the immense love. It's really beautiful.

Beth F - Thank you. :)

2012-01-24T21:24:33.935-06:00

Beth F - Thank you. :)

Great post, Trish. A few weeks ago I wrote a post...

2012-01-24T00:16:44.205-06:00

Great post, Trish. A few weeks ago I wrote a post on some less than positive feelings about motherhood and it was difficult to hit that publish button, so I know how hard it was. It's like we're all thrown into motherhood clueless with how dramatic the change is going to be. I think I felt diconnected for about a month, but like you, have a wonderful husband who adores his baby and wife. That really does make a huge difference, doesn't it?

Breaks my heart to think how hard it was for you! ...

2012-01-23T19:37:34.228-06:00

Breaks my heart to think how hard it was for you! I never had PPD, only the baby blues, so I can't say I know what it was like for you. I do know that I did better with my first because I made a point to get out and see people, sleep when he did (damn it was hard for me to give up the idea that a vacuumed room would have straight lines when done!), and to make sure I still made time for myself. All of that is harder when you have the 2nd one, making it even more important to ask for help! I'm sure you've helped a lot of people by being willing to talk about your experience!

Wow, 92 comments! You obviously touched a nerve. ...

2012-01-22T21:24:51.418-06:00

Wow, 92 comments! You obviously touched a nerve. The first time I read this, I couldn't comment. I had PPD with my first and it lasted 2 years. My husband was not helpful at all and in those days (27 years ago) it was not mentioned. Even my mother was not the slightest bit helpful when I brought it up, in spite of the fact that she was (at one point in my childhood) suicidally depressed. She went through years of therapy and my father was very supportive. I suppose she thought I had a husband I could count on, too -- or liked to pretend I did. Anyway, I still don't like to talk my own experience but I'm glad you spoke up. Talking about it can be therapeutic and maybe your post will help a few people. That would be lovely.

I love you for this. I didn't have PPD, but I ...

2012-01-22T07:46:31.428-06:00

I love you for this. I didn't have PPD, but I have had depression off and on for most of my adult life. It is always good to know you're not alone and spread the word that there is help out there. It's so easy to forget that in the dark times. Thank you for sharing this piece of yourself with the rest of us.