Health
Postpartum Depression Made Me Think I Was A Bad Mom Until I Realized How Common It Was
Not long ago, a creative essay I wrote about my experience with postpartum depression was published by an online literary journal. It was a very candid story about my struggles adjusting to my role as a mother. I confessed my feelings of inadequacy and the insomnia that led to thoughts of hurting myself.
By Alexa Dodd4 min read
After my first son was born, I was frequently angry: I felt as if I had been lied to about the joys of motherhood. While I loved my son, I didn’t like who I was now that I was a mother. There were times — in the endless series of feedings and diaper changings and tears — that I felt like my life was over. On top of that, I felt guilty about not feeling joyful. It became a vicious cycle, and I suffered in silence for a long time.