Did You Suffer Postpartum Depression?

August 7, 2008

Amanda Peet, the outspoken advocate for getting children vaccinated, has gone public on another motherhood issue — postpartum depression. The actress told Gotham magazine that she suffered a bout after giving birth to 18-month-old daughter Frankie. She said:

And [after I gave birth] I had a fairly serious postpartum depression. I think it was because I had a really euphoric pregnancy.

The 36-year-old actress is the latest in a growing group of celebmamas, which includes Brooke Shields and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have been vocal with their struggle. She believes that mothers feel shame when they don't experience bliss after giving birth.

Did you experience it?
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23 Comments

Mme Hart 3 years 28 weeks

I was diagnosed with PPD and suffered for 14 months. I don't always feel 100% again, but I'm SOOOOO much better than I was. Take it day by day, I tell ya!

g1amourpuss 4 years 41 weeks

My daughter had colic too, chocolatine. I didn't understand. I remember passing a park one day downtown when I was 24 (4 years ago from now) thinking - I want that one day ...this pretty lady going for a walk with her baby. The baby was so tiny and the woman looked so calm and happy. And then I had this screaming demon that gave me no time to myself. No time to brush my teeth or shower or sleep. My husband didn't know what to do at first. I remember the first time he left for work I was TERRIFIED. I was like what have I done!? I sat on the couch holding her and cried. I was SO SCARED to be alone with her. I didn't know what to do.On the weekends my husband's parents get my daughter one night, and my mother gets her the other. It was the only time I had to myself (before I went back to work). I was up 24/7 it seemed with a screaming infant when all I wanted was her to look at me and smile and truly feel the connection I wanted with her. (I now have that with her.) And then my 'friends' (at the time) gave me SH!T about getting that time on the weekends to collect myself together. To me that WAS my daycare time. I am SO thankful to have a wonderful foundation of grandparents and to be with the father of my child and I was getting sh1t for all of it!? Also, if I'd leave in the middle a weeknight to go meet up with my friends -- when I had been in the house ALL week!!: They would say I was a horrible mother for not being with my child. I needed a little damn time to myself. People can be so mean.. down to even saying my husband and I wouldn't stay together or that I was 'gay'. LOL. I envy these celebs w/their stay at home nannies and all of their money and time to exercise for themselves. For example Kate Hudson was able to work out 6 hours a day after her baby (I think that's what I read a long time ago). And Liv Tyler sometimes works out twice a day. I'm so envious! Even when I stayed at home the first year and a half w/my daughter I wasn't able to make enough time to do that with her: I WAS FAR TOO EXHAUSTED. I would get on my kicks for weeks and then she would get sick or something would go wrong. And then down in the South here it is always too cold or too HOT to trot around town with a newborn. It was just insane because I hid this all from everyone, even my closest friends. I'm in total bliss with my toddler now though. I'm so glad I made it through all of that. But yeah, I totally thought I'd have my daughter and I'd come out all kick-boxing and stuff. But even the people that gave me crap about my baby weight after I had her -- were still bitching that I was out walking a week after delivery.I've learned the hell with outside opinions on how I raise my daughter or about my family. I'm happiest when I ignore it. ('Cause like I said earlier.. one of those girls had a baby a while back and didn't lose her weight yet.. [plus the father of the baby hasn't apparently asked her to marry her..] and another girl is on her way with her third kid -- allll different daddies.. one father in jail for murder.. and she lives off the government due to her bad choices over and over again. One day she will have to explain it all to her children. And same for the other girl pretending to be crazy so she can live off of the government also. I've learned to pick my friends more wisely now and to be in better company.)

g1amourpuss 4 years 41 weeks

My daughter had colic too, chocolatine. I didn't understand. I remember passing a park one day downtown when I was 24 (4 years ago from now) thinking - I want that one day ...this pretty lady going for a walk with her baby. The baby was so tiny and the woman looked so calm and happy. And then I had this screaming demon that gave me no time to myself. No time to brush my teeth or shower or sleep. My husband didn't know what to do at first. I remember the first time he left for work I was TERRIFIED. I was like what have I done!? I sat on the couch holding her and cried. I was SO SCARED to be alone with her. I didn't know what to do. On the weekends my husband's parents get my daughter one night, and my mother gets her the other. It was the only time I had to myself (before I went back to work). I was up 24/7 it seemed with a screaming infant when all I wanted was her to look at me and smile and truly feel the connection I wanted with her. (I now have that with her.) And then my 'friends' (at the time) gave me SH!T about getting that time on the weekends to collect myself together. To me that WAS my daycare time. I am SO thankful to have a wonderful foundation of grandparents and to be with the father of my child and I was getting sh1t for all of it!? Also, if I'd leave in the middle a weeknight to go meet up with my friends -- when I had been in the house ALL week!!: They would say I was a horrible mother for not being with my child. I needed a little damn time to myself. People can be so mean.. down to even saying my husband and I wouldn't stay together or that I was 'gay'. LOL. I envy these celebs w/their stay at home nannies and all of their money and time to exercise for themselves. For example Kate Hudson was able to work out 6 hours a day after her baby (I think that's what I read a long time ago). And Liv Tyler sometimes works out twice a day. I'm so envious! Even when I stayed at home the first year and a half w/my daughter I wasn't able to make enough time to do that with her: I WAS FAR TOO EXHAUSTED. I would get on my kicks for weeks and then she would get sick or something would go wrong. And then down in the South here it is always too cold or too HOT to trot around town with a newborn. It was just insane because I hid this all from everyone, even my closest friends. I'm in total bliss with my toddler now though. I'm so glad I made it through all of that. But yeah, I totally thought I'd have my daughter and I'd come out all kick-boxing and stuff. But even the people that gave me crap about my baby weight after I had her -- were still bitching that I was out walking a week after delivery. I've learned the hell with outside opinions on how I raise my daughter or about my family. I'm happiest when I ignore it. ('Cause like I said earlier.. one of those girls had a baby a while back and didn't lose her weight yet.. [plus the father of the baby hasn't apparently asked her to marry her..] and another girl is on her way with her third kid -- allll different daddies.. one father in jail for murder.. and she lives off the government due to her bad choices over and over again. One day she will have to explain it all to her children. And same for the other girl pretending to be crazy so she can live off of the government also. I've learned to pick my friends more wisely now and to be in better company.)

SweetnLow 4 years 41 weeks

Oh, and chocolatine- I remember a point where it was 3 in the morning- my DD had just messed her diaper and was crying for that and being hungry. At that point I hated her.. I was exhausted, I had soaked through my shirt, and I had mastitis. I just sat down on the bathroom floor and bawled till my husband came in there, took her away- helped me get myself cleaned up and in bed and then brought her in to eat. I often think of that night and how tough it was for me.. I can't imagine what it must have been like for him.

SweetnLow 4 years 41 weeks

Yes- I did and it was hard. I waltzed into my dr's office about 5 days postpartum and fell to bits. She held my hand and asked if I was ok- if I needed anything and I said no. When BFing failed, it got even worse. I then spent the next 7 months trying to convince myself that I could handle it on my own before a kind friend finally PUSHED me at the Dr. My husband was leaving on deployment and things probably would have been tragic had I not done something. This time I think I have a good handle on the situation and will definitely ask QUICKLY if something happens.

SweetnLow 4 years 41 weeks

Yes- I did and it was hard. I waltzed into my dr's office about 5 days postpartum and fell to bits. She held my hand and asked if I was ok- if I needed anything and I said no. When BFing failed, it got even worse. I then spent the next 7 months trying to convince myself that I could handle it on my own before a kind friend finally PUSHED me at the Dr. My husband was leaving on deployment and things probably would have been tragic had I not done something.This time I think I have a good handle on the situation and will definitely ask QUICKLY if something happens.

roxtarchic 4 years 41 weeks

good for you both erniew & glamourpuss... i wasnt depressed but there were definate baby blue days... it's overwhelming and scary and EXHAUSTING when you first come home and your hormones are just off the CHART. i think acknowledging those feelings & sharing them helps.... i think your emotions and feelings are all just soooo HEIGHTENED when you become a parent... all these feelings that you just didnt know you were capable of (and you already thought you were feeling and experiencing)... i can see how that rollercoaster of emotion can roll lower than you can handle.... i think it's a good thing for celebrities to acknowledge these feelings to the public because sooooo many are pregnant, just gave birth, etc... and the public is obsessed w/it all... the more it's talked about the more people will feel at ease admitting to it... even if they dont want to.

chocolatine 4 years 41 weeks

My mother had it after she gave birth to my brother (when I was 14). He had a terrible colic and basically screamed for four months straight. She would lock herself into the bathroom and weep - her crying at the time was worse than when my grandfather (her father) died. She also lost a shocking amount of weight. I wish I had known about PPD then, so that I could have been more help to her. As it was, I just took care of the baby and tried not to bother her. I don't think she took any meds, she got over it on her own after about six months.

chocolatine 4 years 41 weeks

g1amourpuss 4 years 41 weeks

I was never diagnosed with PPD, but I told a doctor to just 'give me' the anti-depressant so I wouldn't hurt myself. She was shocked and acted as if we didn't have the conversation. I was on it (every other day) for two months. I never really told anybody. There was enough pressure from me not breast feeding as it was. (I'm anti-breast feeding.. no offense ladies.) And then there was A LOT of useless pressure from my 'peers' about losing the baby weight. (And that's okay - because what goes around comes around. They're all having babies now and again. :) But yeah, I was extremely depressed, hiding the pain, for the first year. I was completely thrilled with my daughter though. It was me dealing with me not so much her (SCREAMING lol). But eventually I came back around to loving me. Not everyone will be the same after delivering children. Not everyone is made that way. And I like to think this is just the beginning now.. I'm still on my way to figuring out my new role as me. -mother of a 2yr old

g1amourpuss 4 years 41 weeks

erniew 4 years 41 weeks

I enjoyed my pregnancy and the first few months - even though challenging - with my first child. I hit an enormous wall of anxiety and helplessness when he turned six months old and I had to start him on solids. I'm a perfectionist by nature and an absolute control freak. So to have to "make" all of his food from scratch and be this holistic, organic, perfect all of the time mother while working a full-time job made me lose it. My moods would swing but mostly I was anxious and angry. I chose medication over fighting it by myself and it was a tremendous help. That was probably the hardest part - admitting I needed something more than my husband or mother or child. Putting myself first. And feeling okay about taking medication. No one makes you feel good about that decision and I've seen one too many women try to take on depression, anxiety - whatever it is - without professional help and the results are less than pretty.

shoogerbooger 4 years 41 weeks

LizL- I would tell your doctor how you have been feeling and he/she can help you figure out if it just baby blues or PPD. Having a new baby at home can be so rough at times, and I think many of us have had the "baby blues." Hang in there! Being a Mom gets easier (and more fun) every day! : )

To answer the question- No, I never had PPD, but I HATED the sleepless nights and was in a pretty witchy mood at times : ) LOL. I love my son, but there were times that I would just hand him to my husband and walk away. Those first few months can be exhausting! I truly feel for the women who have to deal with PPD. I can't even imagine how hard it would be.

shoogerbooger 4 years 41 weeks

LizL- I would tell your doctor how you have been feeling and he/she can help you figure out if it just baby blues or PPD. Having a new baby at home can be so rough at times, and I think many of us have had the "baby blues." Hang in there! Being a Mom gets easier (and more fun) every day! : ) <BR><BR>To answer the question- No, I never had PPD, but I HATED the sleepless nights and was in a pretty witchy mood at times : ) LOL. I love my son, but there were times that I would just hand him to my husband and walk away. Those first few months can be exhausting! I truly feel for the women who have to deal with PPD. I can't even imagine how hard it would be.

jessie 4 years 41 weeks

yes

jessie 4 years 41 weeks

yes

SugarKat 4 years 41 weeks

If it lasts longer than 2 weeks, then it's usually more than the baby blues. When in doubt ask a doctor.

dntusassme2000 4 years 41 weeks

Oh, I hope I don't get it. I hope I am able to be happy and enjoy my new baby when she comes!

faerymagick15 4 years 41 weeks

never had it, even after my son when I was going through a divorce. I can't imagine having PPD and not being able to enjoy motherhood the way I was blessed to have done. I enjoyed everything about it including sleepless nights.

LizL 4 years 41 weeks

How do you know it's PPD, and not the baby blues? I just had a baby 2 1/2 weeks ago and I have been down lately.

pinkprincess1101 4 years 41 weeks

never i can just imagine the joy of a new baby and then bam you are hit with depression, it hurts just to think about it

milosmommy 4 years 41 weeks

I had it. It's a weird awful feeling. But I was glad that I had the support I do of my family and friends. I know there's still some stigma there but ladies don't be afraid to get help.

bluepuppybites 4 years 41 weeks

I enjoyed everything about my little girl. I has very happy with her. But sure enough the stress of everything and a history of depression caused me to have an outburst. I got help right away.

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