Mom Reveals What Postpartum Depression Really Looks Like
It’s not a secret that social media creates unrealistic standards and expectations for everyone, new mothers included. One day Kathy DiVincenzo, a young mom of two, grew tired of seeing picture perfect moms on Facebook and, together with her friend and photographer Danielle Fantis, decided to show another, not as beautiful, but extremely possible side of motherhood.
Kathy suffers from postpartum depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. DiVincenzo knew she wasn’t alone in battling this condition, so she shared her story on Facebook to help spread awareness on postpartum depression.
Kathy and Danielle worked together on a photo shoot to show women what living with postpartum depression looks like. Striking images show how different days with postpartum depression can be – one moment you’re happy and full of confidence and the next you feel helpless and without the strength to leave your bed.
Kathy’s inspirational post, that you can see below, was shared over 70k times and its strong message was heard by (and hopefully helped) many. “Let’s show others that they don’t have to suffer in silence.”
More info: Kathy’s Facebook | Photographer’s Facebook
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Thank you, Kathy. Your words really hit home for me. I was only able to get through my own ppd by reading essays & testimonials of other struggling mamas. God bless you, ladies. For some, it is so hard to be a mama sometimes.
We thank you moms, for being there for your kids even when the days are sometimes too tough.
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I work at PANDSI in Canberra Australia. PANDSI stands for Post and AnteNatal Depression Support and Information. I have the privilege to be able to cuddle, feed, rock to sleep, change the nappies of and play with the babies of mums who come in for help. the mums come in for group sessions with other young mums going through the same thing. They learn from talking about things and listening to each other and the support workers, they also form great friendships. Please don't suffer in silence! One thing that every new mum needs, no matter in control she seems, is help.
My post natal depression lasted close to 3 years. During that time I could usually cope when I was in company, but isolated at home on the farm in an area that we had only recently moved to without close friends or any family I really struggled. I blamed my feelings of anger and my attacks of rage to my personality thinking that not only was I the world's most incompetent Mum, unable to easily breastfeed, to just being a horrible personality. After all, why could I feel such little love and often anger and irritability towards my own children? I had a feeling like a churning volcano of bile lodged deep in my chest. It was only when I acknowledged my problems that it went away. The feelings and the volcano left and I was happy, adored my children and sailed through life. Sometimes that volcano comes back if I am over stressed and over committed and then I know that I have to back off my commitments. Fortunately I never actually hit or hurt my babies.
I also had PPD and what you described is so accurate. My thoughts even included either harming my baby or something horrible happening to her. Counseling, medication and family support got me through but it lasted 2 years.
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And that's one of many reasons I don't want to or feel like having kids...
Brave to share that. As a childless male I cannot begin to imagine what it does to you... but could not swipe away without at least showing support. Hugs to you and all moms.
This is a very real problem. Recently a woman in my country jumped off a building with her newborn. Literally the last thing she googled was: "what to do when there is no way out" Although there was no diagnosis of post-partum depression, I have no doubt that she was suffering from it to some degree. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-mum-s-suicide-casts-light-on-struggles-of-working-mums-8831694
Damn right. I applaud her for posting this. Transparency takes courage. It takes humility. I'm not interested in labeling everyone who posts "happy" images of themselves as prideful and narcissistic. But we all know that pride is the root behind the desire to cultivate an image that you think is worthy of praise on social media. In essence, what this woman did is what we all should do. Why? Because THIS is an accurate representation of reality. This is the truth and many of us want to avoid the truth. We want to run from the reality of our lives and escape into the persona that we have molded on social media. Again, to do what this woman did takes courage and HUMILITY. Respect. She deserves respect for her honesty.
It was a hopeless time period in my life. And I still remember with horror some of the moments I went through.. It took 5 years to get over it. Now it's a distant thing, but back then it was utterly real reality. Thank you for your pictures and thank you for sharing your feelings, I know it must have been difficult. xxx
I had PPD after my son was born. It was very unpleasant and upsetting. Had horrible thoughts and no energy. Finally worked my way out of it after about six months of some very rough days.
❤️ thank you for sharing! It’s a relief to know I’m not alone. I kept trying to convince myself that I wasn’t suffering from ppd because I would have good days, but the bad days always come back around. I’m working through it and praying for peace from anxiety! Thanks again for sharing! ❤️
That's how I spent 1/2 of the 90's. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Great for sharing your painful journey. I too suffered with postpartum depression 21 years ago. I had to be medicated to survive. It is annoying to always see all the "happy" pictures of parenting when there are those that also struggle and feel like they are "less" then those moms. Parenting is a hard enough job without also battling mental illness. It is okay to ask for help and to reach out for support.
Was so depressed that I understood the mind set of mothers that hurt themselves or their kids. I've never felt so alone n scared in my life!
I'm just going to say it. Give Wim Hof Method a try. Although, good luck finding the time to do it as a new parent. I can attest to that, my 2nd kid is 10 months old and still wakes up several times a night. I have not had more than 6 hours of sleep in this whole time. But still manage to find the time to do the breathing, cold exposure and now some yoga too. About an hour a day and it is absolutely the only thing that is keeping me functional in this state.
From where did you get 1 out from 7? Afaik it is much more common: 50% of women suffer from PPD and if the woman gets PPD there's also a 50% chance that the man gets it too.
Don't forget the differences between different countries, it's not a worldwide statistic...different cultures, different societies = different results. Don't be a jerk
Load More Replies...
You can avoid being rude by NOT GOING ON THE INTERNET. Stop trolling the web. Put a damn disconnector between you and your internet if you're going to be rude.
Load More Replies...
Thank you, Kathy. Your words really hit home for me. I was only able to get through my own ppd by reading essays & testimonials of other struggling mamas. God bless you, ladies. For some, it is so hard to be a mama sometimes.
We thank you moms, for being there for your kids even when the days are sometimes too tough.
Load More Replies... I work at PANDSI in Canberra Australia. PANDSI stands for Post and AnteNatal Depression Support and Information. I have the privilege to be able to cuddle, feed, rock to sleep, change the nappies of and play with the babies of mums who come in for help. the mums come in for group sessions with other young mums going through the same thing. They learn from talking about things and listening to each other and the support workers, they also form great friendships. Please don't suffer in silence! One thing that every new mum needs, no matter in control she seems, is help.
My post natal depression lasted close to 3 years. During that time I could usually cope when I was in company, but isolated at home on the farm in an area that we had only recently moved to without close friends or any family I really struggled. I blamed my feelings of anger and my attacks of rage to my personality thinking that not only was I the world's most incompetent Mum, unable to easily breastfeed, to just being a horrible personality. After all, why could I feel such little love and often anger and irritability towards my own children? I had a feeling like a churning volcano of bile lodged deep in my chest. It was only when I acknowledged my problems that it went away. The feelings and the volcano left and I was happy, adored my children and sailed through life. Sometimes that volcano comes back if I am over stressed and over committed and then I know that I have to back off my commitments. Fortunately I never actually hit or hurt my babies.
I also had PPD and what you described is so accurate. My thoughts even included either harming my baby or something horrible happening to her. Counseling, medication and family support got me through but it lasted 2 years.
Load More Replies... And that's one of many reasons I don't want to or feel like having kids...
Brave to share that. As a childless male I cannot begin to imagine what it does to you... but could not swipe away without at least showing support. Hugs to you and all moms.
This is a very real problem. Recently a woman in my country jumped off a building with her newborn. Literally the last thing she googled was: "what to do when there is no way out" Although there was no diagnosis of post-partum depression, I have no doubt that she was suffering from it to some degree. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-mum-s-suicide-casts-light-on-struggles-of-working-mums-8831694
Damn right. I applaud her for posting this. Transparency takes courage. It takes humility. I'm not interested in labeling everyone who posts "happy" images of themselves as prideful and narcissistic. But we all know that pride is the root behind the desire to cultivate an image that you think is worthy of praise on social media. In essence, what this woman did is what we all should do. Why? Because THIS is an accurate representation of reality. This is the truth and many of us want to avoid the truth. We want to run from the reality of our lives and escape into the persona that we have molded on social media. Again, to do what this woman did takes courage and HUMILITY. Respect. She deserves respect for her honesty.
It was a hopeless time period in my life. And I still remember with horror some of the moments I went through.. It took 5 years to get over it. Now it's a distant thing, but back then it was utterly real reality. Thank you for your pictures and thank you for sharing your feelings, I know it must have been difficult. xxx
I had PPD after my son was born. It was very unpleasant and upsetting. Had horrible thoughts and no energy. Finally worked my way out of it after about six months of some very rough days.
❤️ thank you for sharing! It’s a relief to know I’m not alone. I kept trying to convince myself that I wasn’t suffering from ppd because I would have good days, but the bad days always come back around. I’m working through it and praying for peace from anxiety! Thanks again for sharing! ❤️
That's how I spent 1/2 of the 90's. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Great for sharing your painful journey. I too suffered with postpartum depression 21 years ago. I had to be medicated to survive. It is annoying to always see all the "happy" pictures of parenting when there are those that also struggle and feel like they are "less" then those moms. Parenting is a hard enough job without also battling mental illness. It is okay to ask for help and to reach out for support.
Was so depressed that I understood the mind set of mothers that hurt themselves or their kids. I've never felt so alone n scared in my life!
I'm just going to say it. Give Wim Hof Method a try. Although, good luck finding the time to do it as a new parent. I can attest to that, my 2nd kid is 10 months old and still wakes up several times a night. I have not had more than 6 hours of sleep in this whole time. But still manage to find the time to do the breathing, cold exposure and now some yoga too. About an hour a day and it is absolutely the only thing that is keeping me functional in this state.
From where did you get 1 out from 7? Afaik it is much more common: 50% of women suffer from PPD and if the woman gets PPD there's also a 50% chance that the man gets it too.
Don't forget the differences between different countries, it's not a worldwide statistic...different cultures, different societies = different results. Don't be a jerk
Load More Replies... You can avoid being rude by NOT GOING ON THE INTERNET. Stop trolling the web. Put a damn disconnector between you and your internet if you're going to be rude.
Load More Replies...
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