Motherhood is a bliss that every woman longs to experience. However, it may involve many hardships. While various complications may occur during the pregnancy, the hitches may continue even after the delivery of the newborn. Importantly, the risks and problems are not only limited to physical conditions, but can also extend to mental illnesses like postnatal depression.
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It is no secret that funding for mental health services in the United States has been decreasing for years. Psychiatric hospitals have been closed and those in need of mental health services must find help in “the community.” For those with severe mental health problems “the community” often means jail, prison or living on the streets.
Depression is an all-encompassing, life-changing mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in 2013, an estimated 15.7 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode in the prior year – that’s 6.7 percent of all U.S. adults.
Any disease that has symptoms visible to others can cause emotional anguish. Psoriasis is such a condition that affects the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease alters the normal life cycle of skin cells, causing them to rapidly accumulate on the skin’s surface. The buildup of extra cells causes thick, silvery scales to appear with dry and itchy red patches that can sometimes be painful.
Unless a person has actually experienced clinical depression, it can be difficult to imagine how the condition affects daily living. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, depression has a list of specific symptoms that include: Continue reading
There are many celebrities who have publicly made known their battle with depression or other mental illness. In her book “Down Came the Rain,” Brooke Shields describes her battle with postpartum depression. “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has openly discussed her struggles with poverty and depression using public platforms such as social media and TED Talks events. There are more misconceptions about mental illness but a recent U.S. survey affirmed that times are changing. Continue reading
It’s difficult to imagine how it feels to be suffering from major depressive disorder; most people think it’s perhaps a magnified sort of sadness. Cynthia Lubow, M.S., MFT, described the condition as follows: “Major depression feels like intense pain that can’t be identified in any particular part of the body. The most (normally) pleasant and comforting touch can feel painful to the point of tears. People seem far away, on the other side of a glass bubble. No one seems to understand or care and people seem insincere. Depression is utterly isolating.” Continue reading
Movies and books have long portrayed the anguished author, tortured by mental demons penning powerful prose. History reveals that many famous creators in the arts had a traumatic early life experience which doesn’t necessarily mean that the trauma was responsible for the creativity. Creating can be therapeutic for individuals with pre-existing mental illness and research has shown that creative writing benefits people who have suffered trauma.
Depression does not discriminate based on race, gender or occupation. Any individual can develop symptoms of depression, sometimes never overcoming the mental health condition. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America profiled “Marc,” a man who struggled immensely with depression. While Marc attempted to function in society, depression continuously made life difficult.