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Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs anyone can do, and having a mood disorder can make a hard job feel impossible. Many women experience some form of postpartum mood disorders. Having a mental illness is not a measure of your worth, social status, race or religion. Getting treatment is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and bravery. Mental health in many societies is still often surrounded by misinformation and stigma. Just as a diabetic has a problem with how her pancreas functions, so does a person with a mental disorder have a problem with how her brain functions. Hormones, genetics and brain chemistry all play a huge role in the onset of mood disorders. Environmental factors and personal experiences also impact an individual's mental health. Some people with mental health issues are able to function by monitoring their lifestyles alone (eating healthfully, staying hydrated, getting adequate rest and exercise, etc.), while others may require medication and talk therapy in addition to some modifications in how they live. This is similar to our diabetic example above in that some diabetics can manage their illness by altering their lifestyles alone while others require insulin injections in addition to changes in their day to day lives. If you feel that you may be suffering from a postpartum mood disorder, please contact your doctor. Many women find it frightening to seek treatment, or feel a sense of shame at needing help. Remember that the brain is an organ in the body, just like any other part of your body. Understand that there is no more shame in seeking treatment for a brain disorder than there is when seeking treatment for any other ailment. We hope the information gathered here will serve as a resource for you. PLEASE NOTE: If you are in need of immediate help, please contact 1-800-SUICIDE The National Hopeline Network serves as a wonderful "springboard" for finding help in your area. By calling their toll-free number, you will be routed to live support. The website also aids you in finding services in your area in non-crisis times. NEWS:  |
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To share information on upcoming events related to postpartum mood disorders, please send to the administrator. Volunteer Translators Wanted: If you are fluent in another language in addition to English, and are willing to volunteer some time to translate our brochure text or portions of our website into other languages, please contact the Administrator. Our goal is to spread information about postpartum mood disorders to everyone in every language possible. |
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Founder: Tonya Rosenberg
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