10 Tips for Recovering from Postpartum Depression
There was a time in my motherhood journey where I thought I had lost myself because of postpartum depression.
Overwhelmed with two small children at home, touched out, over tired, burdened by the invisible load of motherhood, being on the go all day but never feeling like I got anything done, I was beyond weary.
My newborn refused to eat or sleep and I had tried EVERYTHING. Nothing worked. I had difficulty accepting that this baby was nothing like the first one, nothing like my expectations. The perfectionism that set in with my first child was compounded by the second who needed more than I was able to give. I thought I was going to know what to do this time and when nothing worked it sent me into a spiral. My time, my energy, and my emotional battery ran out and I stopped being able to feel.
Disclaimer: My story is a personal account of my own journey with postpartum depression, and it should not be taken as a substitute for professional advice. I strongly believe that anyone who feels they may need support should seek the help of a qualified health care professional – they were vital in my own journey, and are trained to find the right support for each person’s unique and individual care. If you are in crisis – know there are many compassionate and expert teams available to help you. Call 911 or consult with your local emergency department. If you need help you deserve it, and can get it.
Realizing Postpartum Depression doesn't always look how we expected it would
The void that set into my life and my emotional state was interrupted only by bouts of rage and resentment.
I loved my children so deeply but became unable to enjoy them, to enjoy life. I had heard of postpartum depression and anxiety but “this wasn’t it,” I told myself. Depressed people cry. Depressed moms are sad. Depression is something I might garner sympathy for. But what I felt was anger: towards my husband for sleeping, for getting to go to work, for not having functioning nipples. Anger towards my friends with older kids, for not having to deal with a newborn and a toddler 24/7, for having children with independence. Anger towards my childless friends, because they were childless, because they could sleep at night, because they didn’t get it. Anger towards my older child for still needing me, for not understanding, for doing all the things that two year olds do. Anger towards my baby for not accepting the food, nourishment and love I was so desperately trying to pour out onto him. Anger towards my lack of a support system that I felt every other mother in the world had access to except for me. I was also angry at myself that I couldn’t feed my baby and that I was unable to soothe or comfort him, and I felt guilty for being angry.
So why don’t moms ask for help with their mental health?
The doctors didn’t help much in the beginning, not because they didn’t care, but because they didn’t ask me the questions I needed and I didn’t have the energy to explain it. They ask, “have you ever considered hurting yourself or your baby?” The question is on the list and they must ask it, but I needed more.
When you struggle to get out of bed or find any semblance of joy or feel apathetic and angry at the world around you to the point that daily functioning becomes limited, these are signs you are not okay. But depending on your practitioner, the medical lense may not allow for ambiguity or reading between the lines. I wish I knew to be explicit about my feelings, and to not be ashamed, because doctors do care, and they can help.
Postpartum Depression & Anxiety:
We need to do better at recognizing the signs of perinatal mood disorders
Postpartum depression can manifest itself in a million different ways, and we do ourselves and the entire mom community a disservice to pretend that there is one prescribed way.
Too many moms have difficulty spotting it because they are looking for one specific set of symptoms and yet it is different for everyone.
I have since learned that postpartum depression can manifest as anger and rage. It is actually quite common- though less spoken about. Mothers who struggle with postpartum depression often carry guilt, shame and a deep level of secrecy. While there is plenty of literature and professionals out there to support women with mental health struggles in motherhood, the stigma surrounding the topic stops moms from feeling like they can reach out for help. And yet, help is what we need.
Getting the help I needed: My journey from the postpartum pit back to wellness
I reached out for help and I never looked back.
Once I advocated for myself with my doctor, I was referred to a therapist within the week. I started therapy and was not only validated in my feelings but given tools to aid in my recovery. Just hearing someone tell me that I wasn’t crazy for feeling what I was feeling was incredibly healing.
So what DID I do to cope with postpartum depression?
First off, I want to say that I support the use of medication to treat mental illness 100%. I was able to change my mood, thoughts and feelings through a variety of other measures. If it did not get better I would have asked for medication.
1. I spoke with a professional.
First it was my doctor, then it was a therapist for several months. Opening up about what I was experiencing and feeling on a daily basis started me on a path to feeling better. It validated me, helped me not feel so alone and made me realize there was so much help out there.
2. I began to advocate for myself in my family and ask for help.
To my own disappointment, I realized I couldn’t do everything on my own. I was fiercely independent and did not want to accept help. I learned how necessary it was to ask for help from my partner and other people in my support system. Letting go of control and lightening my load a little made a big difference.
3. I sleep trained and began a schedule
Lack of sleep was extremely detrimental to my mental health. Sleep deprivation made me see the world through a very different set of eyes. Once we prioritized putting our children on a schedule and decided that sleep training is the approach that worked for our family, I literally felt like a new person. It was not easy, but once it was done and I was able to sleep more, I began to feel much more like myself again and could give more to my family.
4. I began to prioritize diet and exercise
This was hard for me. I had gotten used to not exercising because I was far too exhausted to. I had gotten used to eating everything in sight because it felt like it was the only thing I could control anymore. The pantry was a place where I felt spurts of happiness. I began with leaving the house for daily walks and limiting my sugar intake and built from there. When I say it helped, I mean it.
5. I began to prioritize myself and practice selfcare
I got used to neglecting my needs but I finally realized that by taking care of myself FIRST, I would have more to offer my family, and would feel less resentment towards them because of it. Instead of being on the back burner, giving what I didn’t have and then being angry that there was nothing left for me, I started to carve out time and ask for time so I could do things I enjoy, like craft, or go get my hair done.
6. I worked on my comparative mindset
Without realizing it I had been comparing both my mothering and the development of my children to anyone around their ages both in real life and on social media. I started to do the work of realizing that every mom may be good at something or have something easier than me but that doesn’t mean she is good at EVERYTHING and that she has everything easier than me. It helped me give myself grace for my failings and to acknowledge what I WAS good at.
7. I got help for my child
Once the fog started to lift off my emotional state it helped me to do more research and try more things for my son who struggled to eat and sleep. While I was attempting my very best before, it wasn’t until I had slept a little more and felt more supported that I had the energy and wherewithal to dig deeper into how I could help my son through his complicated eating and sleeping issues which were huge contributing factors to my mental state. Eventually with some of the resources and help we got for him, I saw a significant improvement in my own mental health and confidence.
8. I sought out mom friends
I began to reach out to friends for support, because self isolation wasn’t cutting it. I deeply required adult interaction. I found friends who could show up when I needed them, emotionally or physically. I began to form a sort of tribe or community around me so that if I had a need or just needed to talk, there was someone there. Becoming vulnerable was essential to my healing from postpartum depression.
9. I left the house
I began to realize that even the smallest moments of freedom had major effects on my well being: feeling fresh air on my skin, getting into the car without carrying a carseat and half the house, and grabbing a coffee and drinking it as I strolled through the store. Being out of the four walls that I felt enveloped me most days was beyond therapeutic. I would return with a fresh set of eyes, everytime, or at least eyes that were a little less full of apathy and void.
10. I lowered my standards
Like many women, I struggled with perfectionism. I wanted to do motherhood right, or at least the very best and most informed way I could. I read all the books and thought I knew everything I SHOULD do in those first few years. I didn’t waver. Until I had to. My depression and exhaustion forced me to put the TV on, to feed food out of pouches, and to leave the mess. Through being forced, I realized that nothing fell apart and in fact I got a chance to shower or rest. My kids were still alive and thriving. Nothing fell apart, including me. Lowering my standards gave me more time for me, for rest, for being present, and for play.
These 10 strategies not only helped me get through my postpartum depression but they have also gotten me through the last 7 years of motherhood.
The importance of getting help: Motherhood is hard for the long haul
Being forced to lower standards I didn’t want to lower because my mental health could take no more was hard at the time but I am so thankful. Finding connection, giving myself grace, putting myself first and working on my mindset all helped me in their own ways.
They say “It takes a village to raise a child,” but I think the village has more to do with the mom. When a mom has a village and feels supported, when she doesn’t feel alone, that mother is empowered to get help and to be the best version of herself. As moms we don’t just need to be the best version of ourselves for our kids, but also for ourselves. We deserve to feel well. To the postpartum mother: it can get better.
Motherhood is an incredible privilege and can be a beautiful journey but for many moms it is marked with very deep dark valleys. If you are in a valley right now, I see you. I hope these 10 steps can help you on your journey to wellness. Start with talking to your doctor, there is no shame in medication, and there are so many other ways you can get on the path to being you again. You’re a great mom, no matter what you tell yourself.
- Libby
Does this resonate with you?
You are not alone! Subscribe to my Honest Mom’s Circle by joining my email list. Here you’ll find my most HONEST mom truths, my most empowering tips for all moms and exclusive perks like discounts for must have items and must do experiences!
6 Responses
So powerful and informative! It’s so nice to hear someone describe all the same feelings I have felt and still feel at times. It’s just comforting to know you’re not alone in the motherhood journey that very rarely gets described in a realistic way. Thank you for what you do everyday! It does make a difference.
You are so welcome! <3
I was just diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety and this post gave me so much hope and I don’t feel so alone now. My 7-month-old son has had a variety of health concerns and the demanding nature of them brought on the anxiety for me. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I’m so glad you don’t feel alone now. <3 Sending love Mama!
I wish I would’ve found this article 3 years ago. Besides the flux of post baby hormones, I had no reason to be so anxious but I was a wreak. To read that someone else felt anger rather than sadness hit me….I too wondered why I was so angry all the time. I’m better now but man that was a rough time.
Hey Lindsey!
Thank you for sharing that with me. We all need to talk about our experiences so that new moms won’t feel alone. Everytime someone opens up we are creating a safe space for them to communicate that they aren’t ok. We are telling them it is okay to reach out for help and that they aren’t alone – it’s so important!
<3 I'm glad you're better now!
Libby