Unrecognized maternal depression affects children

My mother grew up in rural Ontario where mental health was a taboo subject. She started having children at age 19 and became more depressed as each child was born. I was the oldest and by the time I was 6 years old there were 4 children in our home (with me included). Depression was Read more about Unrecognized maternal depression affects children[…]

The Brochures Don’t do it Justice

I want. I need…..to put into writing, what Postpartum Depression/Postpartum Anxiety looked like for me. It didn’t look anything like what the brochures told me it would look like. It didn’t feel anything like what you intellectualize before having a baby. When you thought to yourself “if I have these bulleted feelings, I’ll speak up Read more about The Brochures Don’t do it Justice[…]

How to Save a Life by Knowing the Signs of Suicide

*If you are thinking of harming yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Line or 911* Mental health and addiction can be tough issues to deal with. If your battles with addiction, depression, or anxiety are beginning to feel like too much, it’s important to know when to reach out for help. Suicide is a serious Read more about How to Save a Life by Knowing the Signs of Suicide[…]

Why do I feel like I can’t breathe and my chest is so tight?

I had severe postpartum anxiety after my second son. I self-diagnosed after sitting with the feelings that come from it and realizing that my body’s reaction wasn’t matching with my reality. For instance, I would think to myself, I am just playing with my sons, why do I feel like I can’t breathe and my Read more about Why do I feel like I can’t breathe and my chest is so tight?[…]

I was not fine, I had no idea how not fine I was.

In December I found out that I was suffering from postpartum depression bipolar with mania. Yes, I went 8 months undiagnosed with bipolar depression with mania. The signs that we didn’t see were overworking and not sleeping. When my daughter was born I took only 2 weeks off from work. I did not properly recover Read more about I was not fine, I had no idea how not fine I was.[…]

Being on the other side of my postpartum anxiety

I remember after having my first child four years ago, being careful of watching myself for postpartum depression signs. What I wasn’t looking out for or even knew much about was postpartum anxiety. As we brought my son home and the dust started to settle with our new world things started to unravel quickly. The Read more about Being on the other side of my postpartum anxiety[…]