Mother Shares Photo Reminding Parents Of ‘Silent Killer’
The Disappearing Village Of Parenthood
Tori Block, a Californian mother shares a poignant moment of her struggles with postnatal depression on Instagram, serving as a reminder of what a lot of us have suffered through, and suffered in silence.
The overwhelming burden of parenting and breastfeeding our children, and the heavyweight to be perfect and hit the ground running with today’s expectations of parenthood.
See Also: How To Support New Parents
“This is me, at the peak of my postpartum depression,” Block wrote on 15 February. “I was lower than low, I wasn’t even myself.
Looking back at this photo I remember perfectly the pain I felt, the dread in waking up every day, the physical pain that engulfed me from thoughts in my brain.”
Block continued: “I had never known consuming, mind-altering emotion such as this that flooded every fiber of my being, making its way through my veins like a plague.
“This is what postpartum depression looks like, or at least what it did for me. I didn’t want to leave this life, but it seemed like the only way that would rid me of the pain I was in. I didn’t ask for it, it wasn’t welcome.
But there it was, and I kicked its fucking ass and beat it to the ground before I let it consume me, or much worse, take my life.”
See Also: What Is Postnatal Anxiety?
The post generated hundreds of responses from other mothers who have suffered in silence also, offering up support and that she is not alone, and wishing much more was available for mothers suffering in silence after the birth of their babies.
What Are The Symptoms?
Insomnia. The No. 1 sign something is amiss. Obviously, a newborn throws off normal sleep schedules, but if Mom can’t sleep when the baby does sleep, It’s a sign to watch for
Not Eating. Those suffering from anxiety can feel like they’ve “had a thousand cups of coffee,” When people are in this fight-or-flight mode, their appetite is often suppressed.
Avoiding the Baby. Moms might not want to touch the baby or change the baby. When they are with the baby, they might avoid carrying the baby, paralyzed by fear. They also aren’t going to want to drive the car with the baby alone.
Sickness. Women might suffer from chills, nausea, numbness, dizziness, increased heart rate, palpitations, chest pressure, rapid breathing, and stomach problems. Some of these could be signs of a panic attack.
