Grammy-winning singer and hitmaker Adele admits that she suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of her first-born Angelo in 2012. Dealing with a condition that plagues at least 15 percent of moms who have given birth, Adele claimed that she was aware that postpartum depression happens differently for every woman.
In the "Hello" singer's case, she doubted her abilities as a mother and thought that having a child was the worst decision she has made in her life. Yet she grew obsessive over Angelo. So, how did Adele get over her postpartum depression?
Simply put, Adele snapped out of her depressive state. "I just said, I'm going to give myself an afternoon a week, just to do whatever," the Billboard topper told Vanity Fair in an exclusive interview. She also sought comfort among pregnant women and friends who've had children because she thought her single friends would get annoyed by her baby blues.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites that 1 in 8 women develop postpartum depression, which can manifest in ways, including what Adele felt. It can also lead to crying fits, anger, numbness, worries and withdrawal.
Fortunately, postpartum depression is treatable and talking about what bothers the mother does help. Like Adele who found her support group, women suffering from postpartum depression are advised to join couples therapy or group therapy. For severe cases, however, Postpartum Progress cites psychotherapy sessions Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) or Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). There are also medications that can be prescribed to help manage moods better.
According to What To Expect, some moms might feel guilty about having postpartum depression for fear of judgement. Hence, they don't discuss their predicament with anyone, including their doctors. But medical professionals are trained to help moms in this situation, which is why seeking help is vital to a successful recovery from postpartum depression. When ignored, postpartum depression could last for years and it could affect the mother's relationship with her child and those around her.
Did you suffer from postpartum depression after having a baby? What did you do to overcome this and what would you say to moms who are in the same situation now? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
