A mom of two from Missouri received an overflowing of support from netizens recently after she posted her battle with depression on her Facebook page. Cierra Fortner said she has a personality disorder problem, and she has survived suicide twice.
Fortner revealed her depression and anxiety problems started after her mother died in 2010 due to melanoma, according to Huffington Post. She was already on medication and under the care of a therapist when she got pregnant with her first child and experienced postpartum depression after.
"After having him, I had my first suicide attempt as postpartum depression was added in and I had an extremely rough time with it," Fortner told the news outlet. "I wasn't diagnosed with the personality disorder until my second suicide attempt in April of 2014," she added.
Fortner said postpartum depression has affected her daily life as a mother and a wife, She wanted people to know about her pain and struggle, and how she is getting by, as this might help others who may be suffering from the same symptoms.
"I don't know a mother out there that has it all together but everything we do is done with love for our children," she wrote on Facebook. "That right there makes you the perfect mom and in our children's eyes we most definitely have it all together."
Up to 80 percent of first-time mothers have the baby blues a few days after giving birth, as per Baby Center. This condition is characterized as an emotional state where a mother is filled self-doubt, worry, unhappiness and tiredness. Baby blues are common but when the feelings become too intense, it could already be postpartum depression.
A mom who is suffering from postpartum depression should get proper treatment before the symptoms get worse. Among the symptoms are depression, excessive crying, severe mood changes, insomnia, inability to form a bond with one's baby, irritability and panic attacks. Moms are advised not to hesitate about consulting with the doctor if these symptoms are present especially if she has suicidal thoughts.
Women who are suffering from depression may not be aware they are already experiencing its symptoms. A support group consisting of family and friends would also be of great help in helping moms get over the condition.
