Key Takeaways
- Some known women who have opened up about their postpartum depression are Bryce Dallas Howard, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, and Princess Diana.
- They all admit that they didn’t understand postpartum depression at first, but overcoming it made them stronger and more confident.
Why Is It Important to Talk About Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of clinical depression that can affect women after they give birth. Sometimes it may last way longer than just the postpartum period. Symptoms can include:
- feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable;
- having trouble sleeping;
- feeling helpless;
- lack of appetite or stress eating;
- feeling disconnected from the baby.
It’s estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of new moms experience some form of postpartum depression, but it’s often undiagnosed and misunderstood. Some people suffer from really bad postpartum depression in silence. Severe postpartum depression may lead to self-harm, endangering the family, or even suicide.
There are many reasons why it’s important to talk about postpartum depression. For one thing, it’s important to destigmatize the condition. Too often, women feel like they’re somehow failing as mothers if they’re struggling with depression, but that’s simply not true. Postpartum depression is a real medical condition that needs to be treated.
Additionally, talking about postpartum depression can help more women identify the symptoms and get the help they need. Postpartum depression quotes may seem irrelevant to some, but they can make a world of difference to others.
If you think you might be suffering from postpartum depression, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available, and you don’t have to go through this alone.
Postpartum Depression Quotes From Celebrities
Many celebrities and well-known people have dealt with postpartum depression. Below, you’ll find postpartum depression quotes shared to let others know they are not alone.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Postpartum depression is hard to describe – the way the body and mind and spirit fracture and crumble in the wake of what most believe should be a celebratory time. I cringed when I watched my interview on television because of my inability to share authentically what I was going through, what so many women go through. I fear more often than not, for this reason alone, we choose silence. And the danger of being silent means only that others will suffer in silence and may never be able to feel whole because of it.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Having kids is wonderful, and life changing, and rarely what you’re prepared for. I love my children more than anything in the world. But like a lot of women, I too struggled with postpartum depression after my first baby was born. I got help, and made it through, and every day since has been the best gift I could ever have asked for. To those of you going through this, know that you’re not alone and that it really does get better.
Depression makes us feel heavy and overburdened. Here’s a postpartum depression quote from Drew Barrymore, who has experienced just that:
Drew Barrymore
I didn’t have postpartum depression the first time, so I didn’t understand it because I was like, ‘I feel great!’ The second time, I was like, ‘Oh, whoa, I see what people talk about now. I understand,’ It’s a different type of overwhelming with the second. I really got under the cloud… I just got right on the idea of, where do I need to be the most? Fifty-fifty would be ideal, but life doesn’t work like that. Life is messy. It was just really challenging and I felt overwhelmed. I made a lot of decisions and I definitely changed my work life to suit my parenthood.
More and more people choose to speak about mental health, including postpartum depression. Sadly though, PPD is still very much a taboo. Below are postpartum depression quotes on how heartbreakingly unspoken this condition is:
Reese Witherspoon
I’ve had three kids. After each child I had a different experience. One kid I had kind of mild postpartum, and one kid I had severe postpartum where I had to take pretty heavy medication because I just wasn’t thinking straight at all. And then I had one kid where I had no postpartum at all […]
We don’t understand the kind of hormonal roller coaster that you go on when you stop nursing. No one explained that to me. I was 23 years old when I had my first baby and nobody explained to me that when you wean a baby, your hormones go into the toilet. I felt more depressed than I’d ever felt in my whole life. It was scary. I didn’t have the right kind of guidance or help, I just white-knuckled back… There wasn’t the type of communication we have now.
Diana, Princess of Wales
Then I was unwell with postnatal depression, which no one ever discusses, postnatal depression, you have to read about it afterwards, and that in itself was a bit of a difficult time. You’d wake up in the morning feeling you didn’t want to get out of bed, you felt misunderstood and just very, very low in yourself.
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: What to Do?
If you think you may be suffering from PPD or PPA, it is important to seek professional help. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about your symptoms and get a diagnosis. Once you have been diagnosed, you and your doctor can develop a treatment plan. This may include medication, therapy, or a combination of both. With treatment, many women are able to manage their symptoms and live healthy and happy lives.
FAQs About Postpartum Depression
What Do You Say to Someone Who Has Postpartum Depression?
People struggling with PPD deserve support and understanding. Be there to lend an ear without judgement and let them know they’re not alone in this journey. Offer help where you can and don’t be afraid to remind them that professional help is also available. Be their source of strength! You could say, “Hey, if you ever want to talk, I’m here to listen. It’s important that you take care of your mental health. Let me know if I can help you in any way.”
What Not to Say to a Postpartum Woman?
Phrases like “You should be over it by now” don’t help, since they downplay her emotions instead of validating them. Similarly, statements like “Children are a blessing!” or “Motherhood is pure joy, you’ll see!” will only annoy her and make her feel like she’s wrong for being tired. Instead, offer sympathy with words like “It sounds like you’re going through a really tough time.”
Is It Normal to Regret Having a Baby Postpartum?
After bringing a new life into the world, many women feel unexpected emotions such as regret. The change in routine and lifestyle can be overwhelming for some – but rest assured it’s perfectly normal to experience these feelings during this transitional period. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or have questions, don’t hesitate to talk with your doctor or therapist who are there to support you through postpartum!
Is Post Partum a Trauma?
The postpartum period can be traumatic for some women, with many experiencing strong emotions such as sadness and guilt. Although not all are affected in the same way, it’s essential to recognize when these feelings become too intense; postpartum depression is real and should never go untreated.
Is Postpartum Considered a Mental Illness?
The word “postpartum” means “after birth.” It refers to both physical and mental changes a woman goes through after she gives birth. Postpartum depression is, on the other hand, a mental illness. It’s not the same thing as the temporary “baby blues” most new moms experience, and it requires professional treatment.
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