Five reasons mothers don’t talk about post-partum depression

The truth is many women suffer from postpartum depression, but many go unreported. This is because people expect you to be over the moon with happiness after the arrival of the baby. While it is a joyous occasion, it doesn't necessarily always feel that way for women who are suffering, often silently, from postpartum depression (PPD). 1 in 7 mothers will experience it.

It can be terrifying to speak up but the importance of doing so cannot be underestimated. It is crucial to talk it out for the sake of mental wellness and creating awareness about this debilitating condition.

Choosing to suffer in silence like many mothers do will lead to a downward trajectory that will not only be bad for you, but for your baby too.

By sharing, you will be surprised at how many women can relate and you will be on your way to healing.

The reason they don’t do so is because of the following reasons.

Denial

No mother ever thinks PPD will happen to them especially when everything else is ok. You have delivered a beautiful healthy baby, you have a great support system, finances are in order, you are recovering well, and there are zero risks you will get PPD but then you do! When the symptoms start to creep in you down play it and over rule it.

It is considered ‘normal’

Parenting has had a bad rap and all you hear when you ask about it is, parenting is hard. You will get to hear about sleep loss, the crying, the breastfeeding struggle and they will tell you it’s all normal right?

A brand-new mother experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression may assume that this is what everyone meant when they said it was hard. An attempt to talk about their feelings and challenges they are met with ‘welcome to motherhood.’

Shame

For some reason, society has led us to believe that having postpartum depression is our fault. Our society puts so much pressure on new moms. Mothers are made to feel like they should look a certain way, act a certain way and feel a certain way and that if they didn't or don't, there must be something wrong with them.

Admitting to having PPD is like an admission they are one of the weak ones who fell susceptible to the curse. They feel like terrible people for thinking and feeling the way we do, even though they have no control over it.

They feel like failures

The picture every mother has in their mind is blissful and beautiful. They see themselves rocking their baby and singing lullabies to a happy baby. When that does not happen, they cannot help but feel like failures.

They feel alone

This is especially the case when you are already getting help with the baby and other household chores. The last thing you want to feel like is a burden so asking for one more thing becomes hard. This makes you suffer alone in silence.

Have you ever lied to get what you wanted?