A few weeks ago, the FDA approved a drug to treat postpartum depression. The new pill starts working in just 3 days, much faster than traditional anti-depressants, and is taken only for two weeks - and the hope is that now that it’s available, more women will receive treatment for postpartum depression and mood disorders. It is excellent news for parents. Obviously the drug itself is great news, but also the awareness that its development brings is a win. Had this existed when I had my first kid, it would heave been the greatest gift.
I previously wrote about what it was like for me here, and when asked even the teensiest question about it I just go on and on and on and on and on and can’t shut up about how sad and weird I felt - because I wish someone else had been so open with me when I was going through it, and because I love to talk. But my experience was only my experience, and everyone else’s is theirs!
I wanted to hear more about what other parents went through postpartum, so I put out a survey form, and started collecting responses, and I’ll be sharing them here. This is round 1, I’ll be sharing more and more stories as they come through, so please! Keep sending me yours.
Here are some of the first ones with a trigger warning, these describe suicidal ideation, extreme anxiety and depression, and obsessive compulsive thoughts. If you’re experiencing anything like these stories, please, please seek help from a therapist, your OB, your GP, anyone:
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