Reflection on Depression

Mother's Day: Celebrating the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act

This Mother's Day is extra special because we can finally celebrate the passage of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act--legislation passed as part of healthcare reform that creates a federally funded research program for postpartum depression and psychosis. Yay for mothers' health!  

See here for coverage from Postpartum Progress, including a video of the press conference.  

Serious cuteness -- PPD survivor moms and babies

Mother's Day isn't here quite yet, but I ran across the Surviving and Thriving Mothers Photo Album on Katherine Stone's informative (and always insightful!) blog about postpartum psychiatric disorders, Postpartum Progress. It's inspiring to see so many courageous, happy, and healthy moms who have fought their way back from the depths of PPD. And with all the precious babies in the album, let's just say it was too cute to wait until May 9th!

I've found that much of the wisdom on Stone's PPD blog applies to my experience of (non-postpartum) depression as well. The intrusive, obsessive thoughts that Stone writes about having suffered during PPD are much like the thoughts that I experienced at the worst of my depression. Stone has dealt with these thoughts and come out on the other side, and she offers great advice for anyone fighting depression with OCD features.

Kendra Wilkinson acknowledges postpartum depression

I was encouraged to see reality star and former Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson open up about her postpartum depression recently. She even admits to one of the more embarrassing but least talked about symptoms of depression--failure to complete those basic personal hygiene tasks that seem so difficult when depressed. 

In the weeks after delivering her first child, she admits she couldn't even brush her teeth or shower. It's comforting to know that someone as glamorous as Wilkinson has struggled with the same personal hygiene issues that plague many depression sufferers. I know that when I'm depressed I feel like a total failure when I can't even get out of bed to brush my teeth. But knowing Wilkinson was able to bounce back and recapture her glamour gives me hope.

Wilkinson credits husband Hank Baskett III and her family for getting her through the struggle. Hopefully her openness will inspire more new moms who suffer from postpartum depression to acknowledge the problem and reach out for help. 

In true playmate fashion, Kendra also credits having sex as helping her recover from her depression (although in this case, it was against doctor's orders because she had just given birth). 

Go Kendra! Both mom and baby seem to be healthy and happy now. 

Starplus - Kendra Wilkinson's depression

Great blogs about PPD:  

Postpartum Progress

Make mommy go something something