Conversations with moms & strategies to cope with PPD

Arlene F. Serrano, PhD

Photo Credit: @jwwhitt

Photo Credit: @jwwhitt

If you are experiencing a Perinatal Mood Disorder ( Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Rage, Psychosis) PPD…I hear you and feel your pain. I have been talking to many moms throughout the last months, and I can tell you something for sure. You’re not alone. Throughout this pandemic, the number of moms with PPD have increased from 15-20% to approximately 40%.

These are some common phrases I’ve heard from other moms over the last months:

  • I’m frustrated.

  • No one understands what I’m going through.

  • My __________ tells me I need to get over it.

  • I want to do a good job, but I can’t.

  • I asked for help and was told that I like drama.

  • I am with the baby all day, while my significant other is having fun with friends.

  • I have every reason to be happy, but I can’t be.

  • I am having trouble with breastfeeding.

  • I can’t be a good mom.

  • My baby deserves better.

  • My baby would be better without me.

  • I want to stay home and be with the baby.

  • I want to go back to work to provide for my baby, and I also need a break.

 We all experience motherhood in a different way. It is common to mourn our previous life or an ideal of motherhood that doesn’t meet our reality. Some of us want to be home with the baby while others want to be at work. Whatever is your situation, just do the best you can. Keep in mind that, as parents, we do the best we can with the resources we have. We don’t need to be perfect; we need to be present.

It is crucial that you ask for professional help if you are going through Postpartum depression or a related condition. It will beneficial for you, your baby, and loved ones. There are different options. You need to find what works best for you. In my case, I started meds and therapy 4 weeks after childbirth.

These are some of the strategies, I have used throughout the last year in addition to meds and therapy.

  • See a psychiatrist regularly

  • Talk to my therapist once a month

  • Avoid caffeine

  • Stay physically and mentally active

  • Get some time for myself

  • Connect with other moms that are going through a similar situation (mostly online due to pandemic)

  • Practice mindfulness

  • Have a gratitude journal (I write letters to my son talking about goals for the future)

  • Check my vitamin and minerals levels once a year

  • Eat well, hydrate, and take multivitamins

  • Every night before I go to sleep, I think about the best moment of the day.

In other words, I’ve had a holistic approach to manage my PPD, PPA, and OCD. You can find what works best for your specific situation.

Remember that you’re not alone. It’s ok to ask for help.      

 

 

Arlene Serrano