I loved this post on Wellpostpartum Weblog today:

Eight Natural Ways to Boost Seratonin and Mood

Not only was it very helpful, but the items on this list are just all-around great health tips.  Very well-written and informative article.   These are things I have or am incorporating into my life already and it really does help so much.  I feel better all the way around.  Check it out!

*Disclaimer:  Advice on Out of the Valley and in this blog is not to replace the advice of your physician or medical professional.  Informational purposes only.

Education & Research, Self-care & Healing

Here is an article in Newsweek about Male Postpartum Depression.

Dads need help, too, and its not their fault.  There are a list of resources for dads here, three in particular that I know of.

Check it out!

Care for Others, Education & Research, Media

Lauren Hale at Sharing the Journey has a couple of really great posts today that I wanted to bring your attention to.   Her blog is linked in my blogroll and for good reason – it’s a great blog that combines her transparency as a mom of three and her experiences with PPD with reports on PPD happenings and research.  

Today, Lauren shared her thoughts on two topics:  blog as support for PPD recovery and how people have misused, and sometimes quite insensitively, the term “postpartum depression.”

I have been learning a lot about the blog world as I write these two blogs (this one and my personal blog) and what an incredible community it is.  I was reading on one mom’s blog who delivered a baby – and that baby was immediately airlifted to another hospital.  The parents arrived to find blog readers ready and waiting to comfort them, help them, bring them food and gifts, etc.   People they had never met!  Can you imagine?  Technology never fails to amaze me.  The connections people make online can be uplifting and encouraging, especially through challenging and dark times.

Such as postpartum depression.

Writing and blogging about one’s experience with postpartum depression can be healing not only for the writer but for the suffering mom who connects to that blog and knows she is not alone.  Not everyone may feel they can share what they are going through on such a forum as a blog, and that is ok.   If that is you, just search and read.  Know you are not alone.  If you are the writer, share and also seek and read, knowing that you are not alone.

As a survivor, letting women know that I have been there and they will get through it, too, is healing for me.  It makes my journey worth it.  As a Christian, the fruit of a horrible experience ultimately brings glory to God.  That brings me joy.

In Lauren’s second post, she discussed the insensitivity of people to apply the term “postpartum depression” to situations that have nothing to do with postpartum depression.  They use it lightly, off the cuff, and with no regard or respect for those who have nearly lost their lives to it or to those who have lost their lives to it.  

And I 100% agree with her.  I even, admittedly, get bothered when people confuse “baby blues” with “postpartum depression” or think that they went through PPD when all they experienced was baby blues for a week or two.  There really is a BIG difference.  

Would you jokingly use the term “plane crash” when sitting next to a person who just survived one?

Would you flippantly say “kill the kid” when standing near a mom who just buried her child?

Would you tell someone you are experiencing “postpartum depression” because you miss the holiday season when their wife committed suicide six months ago because of PPD?

Take it seriously, folks.  Be compassionate no matter what terminology you are using.

Care for Others, Education & Research, Media

I have a new poll up on the main page of Out of the Valley.  I am curious about the impact of the holidays on postpartum mood disorders.  In the past, I have had more contact with hurting moms around the holidays.  This is purely unscientific, I am fully aware!   

In my last blog post, I discussed some coping techniques for getting through the Thanksgiving Holiday and this morning I posted an article on Out of the Valley expanding upon that theme to include the entire holiday season.  I would love for everyone to answer the poll and then add some of your own ideas for coping here as a comment.

The previous poll was about how well the church supported women during postpartum stress.  I’ll have a blog post up soon about that.  Stay tuned!  In the meantime,  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I am always here and available via email for support and prayer.  tara (at) outofthevalley (dot) org.

Education & Research, Self-care & Healing

“You need to pray more…”

“There is something called demon possession…”

“It is just baby blues, you’ll be ok…”

“Just get out more…”

“Suck it up, it’s just hard being a mom…”

“The church has more important things to do…”

How many of you have heard statements like these?  Sadly, probably more than I would care to know about.    Katherine Stone at Postpartum Progress reported today about a new research study out that indicates that 32 percent of women who went to their churches for help were told they did not have a mental illness. 

Um, ok. 

Let me control myself for a moment while I scream into a pillow.

Somebody show me where in Scripture it says that mental illness does not exist?  Instead, I find so many Scriptures pointing to encouragement in times of distress, hurt, depression, and despair.

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. -Psalm 42:11

Show me in Scripture where we are to turn away those who are hurting and in need of comfort and assistance.  Instead, I find Jesus instructing us to take care of those in need.

34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ -Matthew 25:34-40 (emphasis mine)

Need I say more?

The church has a responsibility to assist moms in need.  Ladies, I encourage and implore you to be that voice.  When you are recovered, if you feel so led. be that voice and be the arms and feet of Jesus to those women in need who come after you.  Start a care ministry for new moms, educating them about PPD, and be available and known so those who are suffering know who to go to.  The possibilities are endless.  Contact me if you need further ideas!

Education & Research

Hi, all!  I have put a new poll on the home page of Out of the Valley Ministries, Inc.  (www.outofthevalley.org)  It is about how well our churches and faith communities support women and their families during a PPD crisis and/or about how you reach out to your church.  If you would, take a moment to vote and check out the results as well!  I think it is very important for our churches to learn how to minister in this area and for us moms to know that it is ok to reach out to our churches in our time of need. 

That said, there are great resources available to help churches minister to moms, one of which is a video called Breaking the Silence by Mental Health Ministries (www.mentalhealthministries.net) which is designed solely for the purpose of educating faith communities on how to minister to moms with postpartum mood disorders.  Another great group is MOPS (www.mops.org) to support all moms of preschoolers, including babies.  You can go to their website to find a group that meets in your area.

Education & Research

The Postpartum Stress Center blog had a fascinating post recently regarding PPD and Suicide.  She discussed from a PPD perspective a recent New York Times magazine article about understanding suicide.  Admittedly, I have not yet read that article (plan to), but from what was discussed in the blog post and I can definitely say that from personal experience it seemed right on.  Yes, as Ms. Kleiman strongly suggested, ask the hard questions and if someone asks you – answer them.   In my work in this ministry, I have had occassion to ask those hard questions and I found, likewise, the same to be true. 

From a Christian faith perspective, its always a God-moment and an urging from the Holy Spirit that guides me to know when to ask and to intervene.  And when I was the one considering it?  It was definitely the work of the Holy Spirit through others to intervene when I was sick - from my dear friends to know when to ask those hard questions that needed to be asked and when to get me help. 

And ladies (and gents, if you are reading), Jesus knows.  He knows you are hurting and He has not forgotten you nor forsaken you.  Never forget that.

Education & Research, Encouragement

Hello, all!

Katherine Stone (Postpartum Progress) posted a topic about Spirituality & Postpartum Depression yesterday. I encourage you to check out the post and the discussion that follows!  Know that Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you!  He loves you more than you know! 

 http://postpartumprogress.typepad.com/weblog/2008/06/spirituality-po.html

Education & Research

There is a great article here at the life.after.baby blog about educating loved ones that is really good.  I’ve been meaning to post it here for awhile but life keeps getting in the way.  So sorry. 

I hope everyone has had a blessed holiday season.  I know the holidays can be challenging and stressful.  Be sure to take care of yourselves, take time out for yourselves and never be afraid to ask for help!

Education & Research