She came up to me after a session at a conference I spoke at recently. She had but one thing she wanted to say: “Thank you for saving my life.”
She told me about her months-long struggle with postpartum depression. How she didn’t want to live. How she didn’t know how she could keep going in the dark hole she was in.
There seemed no way out. She was tired of waking up everyday with an oppressive black cloud hanging over her head.
She was lifeless and hopeless. And suicide seemed like the best answer.
But then, when she was at rock bottom, she read my post about my own journey with postpartum depression. And for the first time in months, she saw a ray of hope… and she realized that maybe what she was experiencing was depression.
No one had mentioned it to her. She had never even considered it as a possibility.
Had I not posted about it, she told me she didn’t think she would have made that doctor’s appointment, sought that medical help, and, after months of treatment, climbed up out of that pit of depression and starting living with energy and joy again.
News of Robin Williams’ death reminded me of this woman’s story. And of why those of us who have gone through depression need to be sharing our stories. Because if one life can be spared as a result of our willingness to speak out, it is so very worth it.
I listened to the reporters on TV and I kept hearing them say that Robin’s suicide was “incomprehensible”.
Every time they said that word, it upset me. Because those of us who have survived depression or who are struggling through depression know how far you can spiral down and how black the hole can be.
It’s far from “incomprehensible” to us who have been in that lonely, dark, and suffocating pit. As Ann Voskamp wrote:
We could tell you what we know.
That — depression is like a room engulfed in flames and you can’t breathe for the sooty smoke smothering you limp — and suicide is deciding there is no way but to jump straight out of the burning building.
That when the unseen scorch on the inside finally sears intolerably hot – you think a desperate lunge from the flames and the land of the living seems the lesser of two unbearables.
That’s what you’re thinking — that if you’d do yourself in, you’d be doing everyone a favor.
I don’t know what was going through Robin’s head and heart when he made a decision to end his life, but I do know the desperation that can take you to that place.
If you are in that desperate place right now, I want you to know that there is a way out of that pit.
Please, please, please, don’t hide your pain and hurt and desperation. Reach out to family, friends, and wise professionals. Find a safe place to talk about how much you’re struggling. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Talk to your pastor or counselor.
Don’t try to hold on and pretend you are okay when you feel like everything inside of you is screaming out that it’s not. There is hope. There is healing. Reach out today and ask for help… before it’s too late.
Suz says
Thanks for posting. It’s very timely. I just started seeing a therapist to help me. I have one-year-old twins, I work full time, my husband works full time, I went through infertility treatments to have them, they go to daycare every day, our house is a mess, I don’t have the time or sometimes even the energy to exercise again…all of these things are adding up into a crushing weight that I’m not able to handle by myself anymore. I am not suicidal by any stretch, but I feel like I am constantly on the verge of tears, or that the littlest thing will set me over the edge. I just want to be happy again.
I know it will get better, but I wish I could see the light at the end of the tunnel! Hopefully my therapy sessions and implementing her helpful suggestions will start to work for me soon!
BERNICE ALEXANDER says
“When you feel like you’re stuck in a deep black hole”
I have always thought of my depression as being in a black hole and not being able to reach the top to get out. I had never heard anyone else use that expression until I read yours.
I have Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue which has taken so much away from me.Needless to say the pain, depression, fingers swelling, not feeling up to going any where, not wanting to be around people and the list goes on!
I played the piano in my church and sang with my daughter more than twenty years. I had to give it up as I was making mistakes because of the swelling of the fingers. I no longer feel up to going to church except once in a while at night. Playing and singing was a joy to me and I never dreamed my life would change so quickly and so radically. I went through so many feelings which of course included depression. There were times when I was alone that I would scream and scream. Medication has made things a bit better but I don’t think I will ever be happy again.
I appreciate your site and your encouraging words.
Theresa L says
Thank you! I’ve been in that pit and you’re so right about talking about it. It gives others hope in knowing they’re not alone. God bless you!
Natasha says
Our words are so powerful, more than we know. You inspire people and give them hope!
Denise says
I have dealt with depression too. I never truly felt suicidal but that deep dark hole is a terrible place. Thankfully most days I am doing much better now but I am so thankful for people like you, Crystal, and all the other commenters here that understand what it feels like!
Steph @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
Bless you. I have been there too and not everyone understands why I am vocal about it. I want that one person to know where to turn in the dark.
Anonymous says
Having been through PPD and managing anxiety for the past 2 years, I understand and sympathize with Robin Williams’ decision. It can seem like forever to feel “normal” again. I hate the stigma associated with the medication, but it works. Exercise helps too, but some days there never seems to be time. Anyone struggling, don’t be afraid to get help.
Jennifer says
I thank God that I haven’t experienced depression so deep as to consider suicide.
But I have lost my grandmother, an uncle, friends and the doctor who delivered my son to suicide.
You may think you’re fixing things for everyone by ending your life but you aren’t.
You’re leaving behind a lifetime of pain, anguish, endless questions and guilt for everyone who loved you.
Lindsey says
Thank you for sharing and speaking out. For the first time, I recently wrote about my battle with depression on my own little blog. I had NO idea how many people it would touch, and while I still struggle with depression, I am so glad I decided to face it. No one will ever understand it unless they’ve been through it themselves. And I too hope and pray that if someone is struggling, they will reach out and ask for that help. Thank you again!
Roma says
Certain health problems can cause depression like low progesterone, thyroid, your body not being able to absorb folic acid, low vitamin D etc. Even the everyday normal test won’t show anything until you go see a holistic doctor or biochemist who is willing to run more test then normal.
Karen says
My husband suffers from depression and takes medication daily. When we were first married, I didn’t know what was wrong, but I had a fear of coming home and discovering his body. Two members of his family had already committed suicide. I did threaten to leave him (and I would have) if he didn’t get help. God was good to lead us first to a Christian psychiatrist who told him he needed medication before counseling would help. I noticed a remarkable difference with the medication. The first few years, he prayed for healing and would actually stop taking his meds, but I always knew. The dosage has been increased for him twice over twenty years, but fortunately he has had no bad side effects. He has also accepted that the medicine makes life easier bearable; it doesn’t make the depression go away. Thank you for opening up this discussion. Seeing this disease first hand, my hear aches for you, and I’m praying for each one of you. Don’t be afraid to ask someone you trust to go to the appointment with you. Any good friend will be there for you.
Corie says
Wow, somehow I missed your post about your PPD. I hope everyone will hear me when I say this: Postpartum Depression is the most common ‘complication’ (as in bleeding after surgery is a complication) after having a baby. I say this with experience, I was a postpartum RN for 11 years, I’ve had three kids, and I’ve battled depression. If you are battling depression, please, PLEASE tell your doctor and get help. Stop thinking of depression as a mental illness, it’s a depletion or a slow(er) production of serotonin and norepinephrine. If you had a depletion or a slow(er) production of insulin, you’d get treatment, right?
Dar says
While depression is horribly debilitating in itself, couple that with alcohol abuse and there is a much higher risk of attempting and succeeding at suicide. Alcohol or substance abuse go hand in hand with depression. I believe substance abuse is to blame in the majority of suicides, shootings, abuse, violence and behavior that is incomprehensible.
Stefanie says
How many women out there are struggling? How many women are feeling so despaired they want to take their own lives? How many of those women don’t know the hope that is in Christ? How many of those women don’t know the richness of Eternal Life with Christ where they will no longer suffer from this? How many of those women who don’t have any hope be reached with the ultimate message of hope?
I shared a bit of my struggles on my blog today as an act of obedience to God. I didn’t want to because when you admit you have tried to commit suicide it is like you are painted red and are untouchable.
Hello, my name is Stefanie. I am an Attempted Suicide Survivor.
My hope is that women out there will know the hope I found. My hope that is in Christ and that when I get to heaven I will no longer suffer the way I do. I may still struggle with depression, but I have hope.
My hope is that women all over who are struggling and wanting a way out will get the help they need.
Ladies who are struggling, know you are not alone. There are many of us out there who have walked where you walk and are still walking that road. Know you are prayed for and you are loved and cherished.
Stefanie
Lori says
Crystal, thank you so much for speaking out about this subject, which can be taboo for many.
I grew up in a very unhappy christian home and was molested as a child by a family member. I put on weight and lapsed on my cleanliness, which now I realize was a way of protecting myself. I did not tell anyone about the abuse, and by the time my teenage years arrived, I was a complete mess.
I am grateful because I haven’t experienced severe depression in months; but I am sure others can attest to this… you can feel it coming and it’s the most terrifying feeling in the world. I also have issues with social anxiety and have experienced panic attacks, which are terrible.
Lucky for me, my doctor has been like my therapist and has helped me find the correct medication. I have been on Zoloft for a couple of months now, and it seems to be working great for me, without any ugly side effects.
And, in case it helps anyone… something that has worked for me at times (besides, prayer, of course) is when I feel that darkness coming, I force myself to go to the gym and workout super hard (even though I just want to hide under the covers). I’m also trying to clean up my diet to see if that makes a difference.
To anyone going through this, please speak to someone! Don’t be ashamed to ask for help and if you need medication, accept it. I know I still need to see a therapist to deal with unresolved issues, and I plant to do it soon. Hugs.
Mary says
Thank you for talking about depression and other mental illnesses. Usually there is some much judgement when people get sick with mental illness. We do not tell someone to pull themselves up by their boot straps when someone is diagnosed with cancer. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a national organization working with people with mental illness and family members. Offering educational programs, support groups and advocacy. http://www.nami.org
Faith Dossett says
I was a child during the 1950’s and ’60’s. The word “depression” carried such a stigma that it was a whispered word in my family. Now, I know that I had some depression during high school and in my early 20’s after my baby was born. I tried to talk to my mother. She said, “How can you be depressed when you have sunshine in your arms?”, referring to my baby boy. So I figured that something was wrong with me — I should be happy. Evidently, I came out of these depressions but went into a pretty deep depression in my 40’s. I wanted to be alone, no lights on, in bed; some days I could not stop crying. I had no clue why I was crying, but the tears came. I slept a lot. One Sunday night I was working in ICU and got a new patient. She was a 40-something-year-old nurse from a neighboring town who checked into a local motel and swallowed every Valium and Ativan that she had. The next day, I went to my doctor. At that time, I was an RN and knew there were many medications for depression. It’s not a bad word, it can be said aloud, and it can be helped. Fortunately, mine was helped with a medication. At 65 now, I still take an anti-depressant (not the same one as in my 40’s), and it works. I know that God sent me that patient to help (and save) my life.
Patty says
I was untreated for depression for many years until I finally went to a doctor. I tried all the natural things and they did not work. Years ago there was not as many medications available as now. They are not addictive and I feel they are sent from God to help us treat this disease. I have been taking a medication for about ten years and it has helped me so much, including getting closer to God and to the people that care for me. As with all medications there was an adjustment time to see if it is a good fit to treat the disease, but I have been successfully treated.
Stephanie says
When I was suffering through severe depression about 6 or 7 years ago, I tried everything. Reaching out to friends, reading self help books, going to counselling, taking antidepressants. What finally worked for me, however, was reading and applying the truths in Beth Moore’s “Get Out of That Pit”. She shows you how to let God pull you out of the darkness. It was a long process, definitely not an instant healing for me. But in that time I drew closer to God than I ever had before and He truly restored me through Beth Moore. Highly recommend her book!
jen says
I had ppd after my first son was born and never got help for it. As much as I hate myself for saying it, I felt like I hated my baby through no fault of his own. I’m still so mad at myself today for not getting help, but I just didn’t have the knowledge or information about doing it. My son will be 5 next month and it pains me to know that our relationship has been permanently altered because of ppd. I will never have the bond with him that I have with my 1 year old and that kills me inside. However, I am trying to make a difference. I’ve been in counseling for years now and we’re making progress. Now I know that what happened was NOT my fault and there is such a thing as a “good enough mother”.
Misty Nicole Overstreet-Roberts (The Lady Prefers To Save) says
I’m always glad to hear someone speak openly on issues of mental health. It always appalls me to read the staggering statistics over the lack of federal funding for the umbrella of issues this encompasses. I believe this is one of the greatest crises we face n this nation; think of the groups most affected, small children, adolescence, veterans, and new mothers, classes least likely to speak out for themselves, and the least likely to be spoken out for. I’ve had issues with depression on and off for the last decade. The best advice I could give others in a similar situation is this, speak out to someone, anyone. Don’t be afraid to speak to your physician, seek counseling, or be prescribed medication. I believe that to suffer silently, is denying others the opportunity to bless you, if even only to listen.
Connie C. says
Thank you for having the courage to post your story and the constant encouragement you provide!
Charity says
Thank you for writing this Crystal. I was always told/taught that christians don’t get depressed. I grew up on a very abusive home and have battled depression and fear as an adult as a result. I always just felt like something was wrong with me because I wasn’t “christian enough” to overcome it and was too afraid to talk about it. When you’ve lived a lifetime of abuse you don’t find it easy to trust anyone. You just want to protect yourself from everyone and any pain. This is something I still battle daily, so this post is very encouraging to me. Thank you.
Kimber says
I have never been told that, but I have felt that way – that if I had enough faith, I wouldn’t struggle so much. But if someone had cancer, we wouldn’t blame it on a lack of faith. Why do we blame a chemical imbalance, or emotional scars from what has been inflicted upon you, on a lack of faith? You have been through some amazingly difficult things. No one should wonder why you struggle. But thankfully, we have a Savior to lean on. And oh, how I need Him!!
Jenetta says
What’s sad Kimber is that is not even true sometimes. Years ago we had friends that had a little girl that got cancer.
When she passed away some people told them that it was their lack of faith that caused it.
My daughter is adopted from foster care and has pretty severe trauma issues.. I have seen daily the affects of a brain that does not work correctly. Much of the time outsiders would see her behavior as bad and as “sin”.. the problem is that they are taking it at face value.. not at the root issue.
In reality the root issue it that this world is broken, our bodies are broken because of sin and separation from God. And broken bodies mean things like cancer, depression, pstd.. and the list goes on. In turn bad side effects happen.. like suicide.
I dream that we could live in a world where we all could stop judging so many side effects of our brokenness and instead use that effort to lead people to healing.
Brandi says
I was told that, by my own mother. She actually had the audacity to tell me that if I “had my life right with God” that I wouldn’t be experiencing this depression. Of course, that is idiotic. If you’re a Christian, you can experience depression just like a non-Christian. God doesn’t discriminate, and neither does mental illness. In fact, the Bible is full of examples of depression. I am convinced that David was bipolar. And people may say something like, “Yeah, he probably was, and look, he handled it without meds or counseling.” To something like that, I say: actually, we don’t know that. We don’t know that David didn’t try the medications of the day. Also, he OBVIOUSLY didn’t handle things too well, being as he sent a man into battle to be killed so he could sleep with said man’s wife. Yeah, he totally had a grip on it. Point is, even kings battle mental illness, and clearly God still had His hand over David’s life. He went on to be the head of the line that led to Jesus.
Lori says
THANK YOU!!! for posting this….making my phone call today!!!!!!
Kimber says
My thoughts and prayers are with you today, Lori! ❤️
Kimber says
I hope you don’t mind a total stranger reaching out to you, Lori, but I wanted to share a quote that has been very meaningful to me. A few months ago, I was struggling with a depression so deep, I almost forgot how to breathe at times. Thankfully, it has passed. But this is a quote that reached my heart when I was feeling my very lowest: “Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters—mental or emotional or physical or otherwise—do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee. Though we may feel we are “like a broken vessel,” as the Psalmist says, we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. ” – Jeffrey R. Holland
Lori says
Thank you for that!
KS says
Just said a prayer for you!!!:-)
Mel says
Lori, You sound courageous to me! Go make that phone call 🙂
Jessica says
I too suffered from severe postpartum depression. My husband recognized that I wasn’t myself and took me to an emergency room after consulting with my doctor. I actually had to be hospitalized until I was stable enough to go home. It took me months to feel like myself again. I would never wish that experience upon anyone. Medication, counseling, prayer and the support of my husband are what helped to get me through. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a chemical imbalance just like diabetes and thyroid disease are chemical imbalances in your body. Just because it’s within the brain doesn’t make it any less of a medical condition. I had it with my second child, and when I gave birth to my third child, my doctor started me on a maintenance dose of anti-depressant to prevent recurrence.
Lacey says
“A black hole” and “feeling like you would be doing everyone a favor” is the way I felt, too, going through postpartum depression.
A friend who spoke up at our MOPS group and was candid about having severe PPD was a lifesaver and gift from God. She was the only person I felt free to talk to, scared to death what other people would think if they knew the things I thought and felt about my life.
I am glad to see this on here. I think it is so sad when the only thing people can say about suicide and attempted suicide is how selfish it is. It may be selfish, but the people who want to condemn suicide and depression as selfish have probably got just as big of selfishness problem. It makes my skin crawl when I hear people say how selfish of that person to take their life. They obviously haven’t felt the hopelessness of SEVERE depression and don’t understand how much of a relief the person thinks it will be for not only themselves, but for their family and friends who have to deal with them.
Thank the Lord He brought me through that time in my life! I’ve been through it and can tell you THE HOPELESSNESS YOU FEEL WILL NOT LAST FOREVER! YOU WON’T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THIS! So stick it out, for there is hope and help in Jesus, counseling, and sometimes medicine. 🙂
Chris says
I just want to say that I truly admire all of you who are facing depression and managed to tame it. Although my situation does not involve depression but an alcoholic mother, I know how freeing it is when you can speak to a friend or professional helper about your struggle.
It is important to speak about it and to have people arount you who will listen to you so my addition to this post would be to suggest that we all try to be friends or colleagues who make others feel comfortable enough so they may see us as those people they can talk to and rely on.
L says
Hi, I just read your comment about your mom and wanted to share. I have a brother who struggles with alcoholism. Come to find out he is bipolar – as a child he was very difficult and hard to manage. Someone who is bipolar experiences extreme highs and lows and other extremes as well. Sadly, as with Robin Williams, people with mental illness often self-medicate with alcohol and drugs. This in return, complicates the depression/mental illness, as drugs and alcohol affect the brain. It’s not something that we thought to be true about my brother for years, but the connection makes so much sense. Sorry about your mom, alcoholism is a very difficult disease. I wanted to share as maybe there is an undiagnosed reason for your mom’s problem too.
Chris says
Hi, thanks so much for your input and it is great to hear that you and your family now know what is happening to your brother. I am still not sure what the reason may be behind the alcoholism of my mother. Her mother and her sister have/had the same problem (my grandmother died of it before I was even born). I can only guess that my mother may have bouts of depression which she “medicates” with alcohol as she once said something about PPD when my older sister was born. Maybe I can find the courage to approach her about this in the near future, wish me luck!
Wendy says
I work for a psychiatrist and I witness depression every day. I also wanted to add that there is community mental health centers that can give people without health insurance free visits and the meds are free or cheap. Don’t let not having any insurance or money stand in your way please!
[email protected] says
Thank you for encouraging women to get help. When I went through PPD, I had no idea I was depressed, I just thought there was something wrong with me, that I wasn’t spiritual enough, wasn’t thankful enough, wasn’t something. It wasn’t until someone recommend that I go to a counselor that I began to consider there was something chemically wrong that I couldn’t fix on my own. I am so, so thankful that I went to this counselor as it turned my life around. If anyone woman feels like they are in a black hole, I encourage them to seek medical help, because you don’t have to live in a black hole.
Karen says
My oldest son (who turned 30 yesterday) was an undiagnosed bipolar until age 26 mainly because he was TOO GOOD at covering up his depression. People “cover” all the time and for a million different reasons. It finally came to a head when he literally snapped and smashed everything in the apt (and I mean EVERYTHING) His roommates called 911 because they feared for their lives (and his)
Depression is real and it is scary as hell..in fact it may actually BE hell on earth and people who’ve sunk to that terrible depth just want out.
Looking back, I missed a lot of signs with my oldest son. He would have been spared so much mental suffering if he’d covered a little less and I’d reached out a little more.
I urge everyone to communicate more deeply with loved ones so you really know what’s going on!
Kathy L. says
Karen–My oldest son has been hospitalized three times for mental issues. If he would take his meds, I’m sure that would be a BIG help. However, he “forgets.”
amity says
Crystal,
I appreciate your honest and open words. I feel as though there are times that we need to be true to ourselves and our feelings. So often, we as moms put on a false front to show the world that we have it altogether, but there may be times when that isn’t always the case.
Keep doing what you’re doing 🙂
Tamara says
Much needed message, well stated. Thank you!
Why is it easy to understand a broken arm or pneumonia but not an illness/injury we cannot see?
Thank you, Crystal, for giving yourself to our Father to be so lovingly used by Him!
MILISSA says
Thank you! This is why I have never understood the platitude “God will never give you more than you can handle.” If that were true, there would be no such thing as suicide. People that commit suicide clearly had more than they can handle. I’m so sad to hear about the sadness, hopelessness, and desperation that can engulf people. I hope this post reaches someone.
Brandy says
Milissa, I’ve been through this struggle myself, one of the worst times of my life. I just wanted to share that people often misuse that verse. It actually applies to temptation. As far as us undergoing trials we “can’t bear”, I think we do this all the time. There are so many things that I never thought I would be able to get through, but I did! Trials including PPD can lead us to cry out to God when we realize we can’t do it on our own & grow in our relationship with Him. I’m not discounting therapy or medication, people should certainly speak to a Dr or therapist if they’re struggling. But life is not hopeless, thankfully God is the Great Physician & counselor.
Kimber says
I agree. And I once heard a speaker describe it this way … ‘We WILL face situations that are more than we can handle. And THAT is why we were given a Savior.’ As a Christian, this has given me a lot of encouragement during my darkest hours.
Brandy says
Exactly! 🙂
Becky says
Milissa, I share your feelings – it’s actually one of the reasons I don’t actively participate in a church. Growing up, my father had a severe chronic illness (and one common side effect was depression). My mother constantly admonished that we all just needed to get over things and be happy because “God never gives us more than we can handle”. She ended up divorcing him when he didn’t snap out of it. When I was 30, I was diagnosed with the same disease he had. When I first broke the news of my diagnosis to my mother, her reply was “don’t worry, you’ll be ok, God never gives us more than we can handle”. I live across the country from any family and in an odd way this has been a good thing. Instead of following my mother’s advice to just “be happy”, I’ve actively researched how my illness impacts my brain and different strategies I can take to lessen and slow that impact. I don’t mean this to sound as though I am against organized religion, but I just want to warn others that not really looking at the issues that cause depression or illness and instead throwing out a platitude can cause more harm than comfort. At 37, I’m only just now considering how faith can actually be comforting by watching a friend model how she uses her faith to find the strength to search for solutions and deal with issues instead of as an excuse to cover things up and ignore them.
Milissa says
Becky,
I completely understand! I have actually not been personally affected by mental illness…but I am fascinated with how the brain works. (Obviously, I’ve had other traumatic events – because nobody gets to adulthood without something – where people tried to comfort me with that platitude.) There is so much about religion that I do not understand. I used to ask questions and try to understand but those conversations never seemed to go well. Religion can be an emotional topic for some…some people were so shocked I had questions and didn’t automatically believe what they believed…they couldn’t explain their answers without extreme emotion…they would get uncomfortable with questions. Side note…I know this is not true of all religious people…and just because I’m not religious doesn’t mean I don’t have morals or values. I do know people who have been directly impacted by mental illness…and suicide. That seems to be the one question I can ask about this platitude that will garner a real conversation and some understanding into other points of view. Honestly, I wish it were true. Because if it were true…I think that would mean there would be no such thing as suicide or addiction (people looking to escape their reality) or any other desperate act one commits when they are feeling desperate and hopeless.
Sara says
Hi Milissa!
I know this is a really old post, but I stumbled across it today, when MSM reposted. I saw your comment that you’ve not felt you have had a safe place to explore questions related to faith. I have been following Christ for 20+ years, and I still wrestle with hard questions. I like the wrestling, because I think my faith emerges stronger for it. Anyways, if any of your questions are about Christianity, I’d be happy to listen, if you still would like to talk about them. I can’t guarantee I have answers, but I’m happy to listen. 🙂
saradconley at gmail dot com
Heather says
Crystal- I believe that we need to talk about it more. I took have suffered through PPD and had other bouts of depression since then. By talking about it and removing the shame, we are helping others. I truly believe that. I will be sharing your post today to my blog readers to further the ripple effect. Thank you for sharing.
Rebekah says
Thank you. It wasn’t that long ago that I was in that same darkness. When I recognized PPD for what it was and began to talk to a friend, then my mom, then my husband, it helped so much. I thank the Lord for His deliverance!!
Antonella says
Thank you!
Why do we feel totally “normal” for having to go to the dentist/ob gyn etc. and not if we need help for emotional/psychological issues? No shame for taking care of ourselves!
Annonymous says
So true! I really hope that the stigma of taking emotional and psychological care of ourselves continues to get worn away as more people speak up about the need for help and communication.
Jamie says
It’s not so much a stigma but a feeling that no one can help and that your not worth helping. That’s why so many don’t seek out help. It’s different mentally than going to the dentist.
I have gone through deep depression (not PPD) and attempts and thoughts of suicide. I couldn’t explain it if I tried, you convince yourself you wouldn’t be missed, that your loved ones would have better lives if you weren’t around.
Dawn says
I first experienced depression over 20 years ago. I was counseled to cover it up. I felt so flawed and expended a lot of energy to keep it under wraps. Now, I am tired of hiding it and even more tired of being ashamed. I am starting a blog soon and I definitely will feature mental health issues. It’s a coming out of sorts. I believe that my story, like yours, can help others. Thank you for sharing your story and chipping away at the stigma.
Nora says
Thank you… Crying reading your words. Such great and true words.