Mama's Daily Dose

Postpartum Anxiety, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders are all different for everyone. Not everyone has the same experience.

This was the one thing I felt helped me heal the most.

There were lots of moving parts in my healing process - medication, support and therapy. But this one action made the biggest impact in my healing.

Sharing my story. I kept my story and anxiety to myself for nearly 9 months. I was ashamed, scared and felt like something was wrong with me. It was when I shared my story that it didn't feel so heavy anymore. I was no longer ashamed of it.

Sharing our stories not only helps us but others. Through my story I've been connected to so many moms. You are not alone on your journey and you shouldn't feel ashamed.
www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Climb Out of the Darkness: https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

"Anxiety is a desire for what one dreads." - Søren Kierkegaard

Taking it WAY back with this quote from a 19th century philosopher.

You may not think a definition of anxiety would include the word "desire," but I think this describes anxiety perfectly.

There is something attractive about anxiety. It gives us a sense of control, if even for just a moment. It helps us feel like we have control. There are many uncertainties in life and our brains don't like uncertainty, anxiety and worry attempts to complete this circle for our brains. However, it isn't a real sense of control, it is fleeting.

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Climb Out of the Darkness: https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

One of my biggest gripes here.

The people who screen moms the most for mental health and postpartum mood disorders in your CHILD's pediatrician!

I find this messed up on so many levels! This professional is versed in caring for my child, not me. They aren't specific to adults, women and postpartum health.

You go to the pediatrician to ensure your child is healthy. This is the time to focus on your child not worry about my mental health.

This needs to change and change isn't coming tomorrow. So what can we do now?

We need to take responsibility for our mental health. Reach out when we need help and check in on other moms as well.

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Climb Out of the Darkness: https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

Why do some moms suffer from postpartum mood disorders (depression, anxiety, OCD) and not others?
Why do moms suffer from mood disorders with one child and not another?

What is most confusing is that you don't know if its going to happen to you or if it will one child and not another or all of them!

Heightened sensitivity and anxiety is actually a product of postpartum (hormones and brain changes) in order to keep you focused on your baby and to keep the human race going. But what happens is this "heightened sensitivity" stays longer in some moms and can result in postpartum mood disorders and mood disorders after the postpartum stage as well.

What makes someone more susceptible though? Knowing that your life doesn't start anew when you have children. Your past is still a part of you and traumatic experiences and events can play a large role in PP mood changes and disorders.

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Climb Out of the Darkness: https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

Moms' Mental Health Matters!

There isn't a ton of research done on Moms' and Postpartum Anxiety. There is more research done on Dads' Postpartum Depression than on Postpartum Anxiety and while they both deserve attention there needs to be more research and and resources provided to moms with PPA and anxiety.

The majority of the studies done on PPA focus on the effects on the kids; discounting the main player in the equation - the Mom! When mom makes a change, gets the help and resources she needs; her whole family benefits. Not studying the effects on moms and the resources and help she needs is simply putting a bandaid on the problem and not getting the real source.

What really matters to you? Today focus some time and energy on a cause or issue that really matters to you and why.

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Climb Out of the Darkness: https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

You can find pretty much any class or book for resources for your kids:
Sign language
Swim lessons
Eating
Sleeping
Baby Guitar! (not sure if this is real - but I wouldn't be surprised)

There are more studies done on PPD in dads than there is on Postpartum Anxiety in Moms. Most of the studies on PPA studies the effects on the children, not on the mom or how she can receive help.

Most postpartum mood disorders are screened by your child's pediatrician!

This is crazy! We are taking the main player out of the game when we don't focus on the resources and help for moms.

While I would love to see a huge change in society and mental health care for moms, it's not coming tomorrow. So what can we do today? Check in on a mom. Ask her how she is doing, how she is REALLY doing.

We can all do something that will add up in the long run. Something is ALWAYS more than nothing.

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Climb Out of the Darkness: https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/



www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

"Kids have a way of taking everything you swept under the rug for a lifetime and pulling it out and saying…here it is, look what I found!" - Meghan Q Barrett

There is something about being a Mom and having your kids that forces you to look at feelings, emotions and experiences that you haven't wanted to deal with for a long time.

There is no bigger mirror in the world than our kids. Then show us what we need and possibly what we never got or never realized we needed.

Everyone has traumas. There is no comparison. No matter how big or small you are worthy of healing. You are worthy of healing and your kids are worthy of your healing is as well.

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

“I am making this choice because I believe in myself, and nothing is without risk. Terrible things could happen, but I refuse to live in constant fear.” – Sarah Menkedick

You can know the risk exists AND live your your life without constant fear.

It can difficult to get out of the fear and anxiety because it is so pervasive in our culture and ingrained in being a mom. If you need help please reach out to a medical professional, mental health professional or Postpartum Support International.

Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/

Climb out of the Darkness - https://www.postpartum.net/join-us/climbout/

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

There are risks in life, but what actually makes one risk more risky than an another?

Does it have to do with statistics?
Does it have to with likelihood?
Does it have to do with critical thinking?

NO!

What we deem the riskiest tends to be events and situations that aren't even that likely to happen to us. But we see them as so risky because...

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

Monday MamAffirmation - Affirmations specifically for moms.

What if better "safe than sorry" isn't actually safer?

Focusing on the risks and "safety" or perceived safety takes away from enjoying the now and your life.

Yes, the world is scary and there most certainly are risks. This is true AND you can choose to live your life with those risks. Instead of the risks overtaking your time and energy.

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett

www.allyoumama.com
IG -@MeghanQBarrett