Welcome to A Write Relief…
I’m a thirty-something mum who, for the past 12 months, has been living under the dark, oppressive cloud of postnatal depression (PND – or postpartum depression). In the very beginning, despite studying psychology and working with mothers and their babies, I denied and fought against the idea that I was suffering from postnatal depression. I think I knew in my heart what was going on for me, but my head simply kept telling me “No! This can’t be happening to you. You are aware of these things, you work in this area… YOU ARE FINE!”. But I wasn’t “fine”… I was far from it.
This is a blog about my personal journey. I hope my honesty about this experience may help other mums living with PND take the steps they need to seek help, or at least feel as though they’re not alone. I often found myself, late at night, searching for answers for how I was feeling (not looking for “postnatal depression”) and could find very little that could guide me in the right direction. It can be such an isolating experience. For this reason, if I can help in guiding even one struggling mother towards the correct diagnosis for her experience, by writing about my own, I would be extremely happy. I personally feel no mother needs to walk her postnatal depression path alone, without the support of others.
If you would like to read more about my personal experience, please feel free to scroll through my recent blog posts. Or alternatively, you can start at the beginning:
Our new baby: An interesting start to the journey…
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about me… It really is appreciated more than you know.
TSM (Thirty-something Mum) xx
I am glad that I found your blog. So much of what you say here I can relate to. In the beginning I was in denial-I knew something was wrong but yet I thought it would just go away, I thought I would be fine. I also was up late at night searching for answers & trying to find others who were going through a similar experience. And you are right it can be extremely isolating. I am so glad that there are blogs out there like yours that are so open & honest-it makes a huge difference to someone who is going through it. Thank you for sharing!!
I think so many of us do feel the full force of what’s going on with our PND, but as you say we also think it will just get better with time. And that’s the most isolating thing because you don’t want to talk about something you feel is going to be a “passing phase” and have people judge you. I love your blog too and am so glad to have found so many other like-minded mums to share my experience with. Thanks so much and look forward to staying in touch. xx
Hi TSM, a good friend of mine directed me to your blog recently as she has found it helpful for her PND. I just have D, not PND, but can strongly relate to your experience and it’s been a great help to read. Thank you
Hi and thank you so much! It is so wonderful to think that regardless of the type of depression we each experience, we can still support one another and share our thoughts. I am so glad you have found my blog and I can only hope it continues to prove interesting (and supportive) for you. Thanks so much again.
Hi TSM. I found your blog looking for images of “depression and taking a shower” for one of my posts. It led me to the “Young woman taking a shower” image you used on your “My shower, my sanctuary…” post, and I used it without even asking if it was ok, is it? I’m also glad now I’ve found your blog, it’s very interesting to read about different experiences with depression, though I’m sorry your going through this. Take care.
Hello and thank you so much for thinking of me with regard to your re-posting of that image – it’s incredible, isn’t it! Kind of scary though! I’ve read some of your blog now also and am very glad to have connected with you. Here’s hoping for much brighter days for us both. Take care and thanks again. xx
Hi there, thanks for the mention we are so glad you enjoyed the Reindeer Poop. You have a lovely inspiring blog here I look forward to reading more. Allie @ One Handed Cooks xxx