Postpartum depression is often treated like a shameful scarlet letter many mothers feel they need to hide in order to prove their worthiness to be a parent. Because of this, so many moms struggle behind closed doors and mask their feelings and anxieties in an effort to cast a perfect picture that doesn't mirror reality. That's one of the many reasons I love this mom's honest message about postpartum depression to fellow mothers who are battling in silence, because it proves one thing: You aren't alone, and you don't need to hide anymore.
As a doula, childbirth educator, and owner of Beyond the Bump in Ohio, Kathy DiVincenzo, a mother of two who has PPD, felt like she needed to remove the filter of perfection from her life in order to make a powerful statement about postpartum depression. To do this, she shared a striking side-by-side photo on Facebook that shows the reality of PPD and why mothers who have it should never feel ashamed.
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"May has been declared Postpartum Depression Awareness Month, and as someone with diagnosed postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD, I feel like it's time to show you what that can really look like, not just the side of me that's 'Facebook-worthy,'" the mom writes. She continues:
The truth is, both of these pictures represent my life depending on the day. I would only ever comfortably share one of these realities though and that's the problem. The only thing more exhausting than having these conditions is pretending daily that I don't. I work twice as hard to hide this reality from you because I'm afraid to make you uncomfortable. I'm afraid you'll think I'm weak, crazy, a terrible mother, or the other million things my mind convinces me of and I know I'm not alone in those thoughts.
We need to start asking new parents how they're doing in a deeper way than the normal, 'so how are you doing?' that triggers the knee jerk, 'everything's great!' response. We need to learn the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and support plans for postpartum conditions.
We need to break the stigma and #EndTheSilence by sharing our stories and letting others know they're not alone.
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The American Psychological Association estimates roughly one in seven women experiences postpartum depression. That, along with the need to end the stigma surrounding postpartum depression once and for all, is why Kathy's Facebook post has been shared over 67,000 times. The mom says she hopes her heartfelt post not only raises awareness, but also encourages the mom community to check in on friends and loved ones who could be suffering in silence.
"I think this is important to see because, while I certainly am not trying to represent postpartum mental illness as a whole, I hope to raise awareness that these are real conditions that could be affecting you, your sister, [and] your friend," DiVincenzo tells CafeMom. "It's crucial to be checking in with parents, especially throughout that first year, to really know how they're doing."
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Sharing Kathy's sentiments is Danielle Fantis, friend of the mom and the owner of Danielle Fantis Photography. She took these photos that resonate on such a personal level.
"Taking these images stirred up a lot of emotion for me," Fantis reveals to CafeMom. "I feel like agony when I look at them. I feel her suffering because I also suffered from PPD. While I'm sad that thousands of women have related to this and shared our experience with PPD, I'm happy that they know they're not alone! I hope the women who are suffering see that they aren't alone in this, that they feel loved and worthy, and that they're able to get the right help and see a light at the end of this dark tunnel that is postpartum depression."
Kathy's photos gave me pause, as I'm so guilty of hiding behind the camera — and hiding many of the realities of raising 3- and almost 2-year-old boys that don't look spectacular, no matter how many filters I apply. I've always felt this unseen pressure to emulate a kind of perfection that's just not achievable and, honestly, not even super desirable (#AintNobodyGotTimeforThat). I find myself relating to images of motherhood — like Kathy's top photo — because it so often represents the reality of my life … especially during the early days of juggling hormones, a toddler, and a fresh newborn.
There were so many times when I didn't speak up if I felt "a little off" or avoided asking questions to the mothers I knew out of fear of being judged or being treated as if I was weak in some way.
More from CafeMom: 5 Warning Signs You Could Have Postpartum Depression
I'm so thankful for women like Kathy who aren't afraid to stand in their truth and empower others to be both unashamed and no longer afraid.
As Kathy writes in her post:
"In case no one has told you, you're doing an amazing job. You are loved and you are worthy. You're not alone. Information to local and national support will be in the comment section. I know how unbelievably hard it is to reach out, but I promise you it is worth it. YOU'RE worth it."