The following is an excerpt from writer Jackie Edwards. Edwards started her career in the healthcare sector, but after becoming a mom refocused and decided to spend more time with her family. When she’s not writing, she volunteers for a number of local mental health charities and also has a menagerie of pets to look after.
The social pressures on new moms today are immense. You’re expected to be attentive to your child, pursue a career, look immaculate and keep a tidy home. All this and keep a balanced head as you battle sleep deprivation, breastfeeding and hormonal changes, never mind a screaming baby!
It’s little wonder that 1 in 9 moms in the US are stricken with postpartum depression (PPD) in the first year following birth, with some of these turning to alcohol and drugs. This situation is very much a social taboo and often results in women trying to conceal the truth and failing to seek help.
What is PPD?
Negative feelings are by no means uncommon following childbirth. In fact, 70% of all new moms experience baby blues. Fortunately, baby blues can be beaten relatively easily with self-help solutions. However, 11% of new moms go on to experience prolonged and heightened periods of negativity in the form of PPD.
Symptoms to look out for include: pronounced sadness; loss of appetite; sleep problems; anxiety and panic attacks; and feelings of worthlessness and guilt. PPD is potentially very dangerous for the mother and child. It is associated with decreased mom/baby bonding, increased risks of marital divorce as well as the dangers of harm to mom and baby. And these risks can only be fueled further by turning to addiction.
Is There A Link between PPD and Addiction?
It is well known that depression and addiction are strongly linked. According to research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately one third of individuals suffering from major depression also have alcohol problems. It therefore seems inevitable that a proportion of mothers experiencing PPD are at risk of forming an addiction.
Typically, new moms may abuse alcohol, painkillers or sleeping pills. Illicit drugs may also appeal due to their mood-lifting and energizing properties, but breastfeeding while using these drugs poses a huge threat to the child. Research reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that amphetamines, cocaine, heroin and marijuana cause irritability, vomiting and poor sleep in babies—none of which will calm a stressed mom!
Which Comes First…PPD or Addiction?
Research shows that both are possible: addiction can be a consequence of PPD but it is also more likely to occur in those who have experienced addiction in the past. In the latter case, the new pressures of motherhood are overwhelming to the point that cravings take over and the mother relapses.
Facing up to the Issue
Professional help is absolutely vital. Counseling, therapy, support groups and treatment programs are all available. Rehabilitation programs usually offer a holistic approach including a healthy lifestyle plan with focus on regular exercise—a proven aid to recovery.
The embarrassment and shame felt by PPD and addiction sufferers often presents a massive hurdle to reaching out for help. Yet this is a very valid medical condition that needs treating with medical help. With increased publicity surrounding PPD and addiction, it is hoped that the social stigma may dissipate with time and that sufferers will have the opportunity to be listened to and understood.
Photo courtesy of Chad Navarro via Unsplash
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