Celebrities Who Fought Postpartum Depression

*** Two Hollywood celebrities are sharing how they suffered with postpartum depression after the births of their children, hoping others will seek help.





Actress Gwyneth Paltrow at Toronto International Film Festival, photo by AP


Actress Gwyneth Paltrow suffered from postpartum depression

From Denny: Postpartum depression cuts across all economic, race and cultural lines to affect new mothers just after giving birth. It may be their first, second or even third child. Each pregnancy can be different from previous ones.

The tough thing about this disorder is that it makes a woman feel such low self-esteem that she doubts her ability to be a good mother, even months after the birth. Too many women feel they are alone in feeling this way.

Celebrity actress Gwyneth Paltrow and "New Moon" star Bryce Dallas Howard have decided to go public with their personal trials and painful experiences to help other women suffering from this particular and other mood disorders. They are hoping other women will quit hiding their suffering and seek help. It's OK to admit they are not as excited to be new mothers as they thought they would be. If you are experiencing this, see your doctor and talk it over to see if this could be an issue.

Women are society's primary caregivers around the clock

As it is women are the primary caregivers in society, caring for the new born as well as the aging parents or grandparents in their last years. Women carry a lot of the long term stress of physical and emotional burdens of society, especially in America. Women tend to attribute these negative feelings to something else, not realizing they may be suffering from postpartum depression or perhaps a generalized depression. A generalized depression could be a result of sleep deprivation and a poor diet. Once those factors are addressed the depression can easily lift.

Here is how Paltrow described how she felt immediately following the birth of her second child, son Moses: "It was one of the darkest and most painfully debilitating chapters of my life." It was a surprise to her since she had such a wonderful experience after the birth of her first child. She said she experienced an incredible euphoria and was expecting the same after this second birth.

How many new mothers suffer pregnancy related mood disorders?

According to the medical site, WebMD, there are about 800,000 women each year in America who just don't experience that sense of wonderful joy after giving birth. That's about one in five new mothers, about 20 percent, who suffer from perinatal mood disorders.

Pregnancy related mood disorders don't always present as depression, though these are the most common. In some women they can appear as anxiety or panic disorder, agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Fewer still suffer from intrusive, unwanted thoughts that are frightening to them because those thoughts are about hurting the baby. So, they tell no one about those destructive thoughts which only makes matters worse.

Bryce Dallas Howard's struggle with postpartum depression

Bryce Dallas Howard revealed how she was struggling with postpartum depression after giving birth to her son in 2007. "In those moments after giving birth, I felt nothing," she told People Magazine. "I definitely felt I was a rotten mother - not a bad one, a rotten one. Because the truth was, every time I looked at my son, I wanted to disappear."

Howard went on to relate she tried to distance herself emotionally from her son by referring to him as "It" instead of by his name. She also said she could not tolerate breast feeding him because of the intense pain.

More women need help than seek help. About 80 percent of new mothers do experience some of the "Baby Blues" as doctors label the experience. However, sometimes, doctors can confuse the Baby Blues with serious postpartum depression so it's important to seek a second opinion if you are told not to worry about the depression or negative thoughts you are experiencing.

Baby Blues versus Postpartum Depression

How do you know the difference? Baby Blues can be similar to a mood disorder yet those symptoms fade away within a couple of weeks as your body gets its balance back hormone wise.

So how can you know if what you are feeling is within the range of what's considered normal or if it's something far more serious? Karen Kleiman has written several books about this subject. She is the executive director of the Postpartum Stress Center in Rosemont, PA. She tells new mothers and pregnant women to "Trust your instincts and if you think something isn't right, it probably isn't." Don't override those instincts with the doubts of second guessing; get some help. Kleiman said, "It doesn't mean something terrible is going on, but you should get help."


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Coming Soon: Get an Orgasm Boost with Female Viagra

*** New drug works on female brain chemistry to jump start the libido.





From Denny: Wait for it... wait for it... Ah... OK, really. :) Seriously, though, next month the FDA is "releasing" (couldn't resist that terrible pun either) a female version of Viagra to boost women's sex drives. Ain't Life grand, girls?

The drug is called Flibanserin and is made by a German pharmaceutical company by the name of Boehringer Ingelheim. The women in Germany are not known for being shy about asking for what they want sexually. So, I guess they demanded their drug company to get busy and satisfy them.

While Flibanserin is getting heralded as the female Viagra the reality is the two drugs are different. Flibanserin works on the female brain chemistry which increases the desire for sex. Now Viagra is quite the different drug animal as its job is to increase the blood flow to the genitals to help increase a man's ability to get the erecter set in motion. (I loved Legos building blocks as a kid, didn't you?)

What's so funny about Flibanserin is that originally it was created to treat depression. Get this, they found out the side effect of this particular drug was that it increased a women's libido. Talk about rocket out of your depression in record time! The German drug company figured out they had a winner on their hands and decided to market it for sudden unexplained loss of sexual desire in women. It also helps they figured out the American market could be worth $2 billion to them too.

What accounts for that sudden loss of libido in young women for no reason? Generally, it's the result of hormonal changes. Examples would be from the onset of menopause, breast-feeding, stress, anxiety and the result of medications used for high blood pressure or depression.

With the way American women are so overworked from official work at the office, running a household and taking care of children, it's no wonder they need a wonder drug. Get an early date with your doctor as the supply may run out if you aren't first in line. Seriously, what will the drug companies think of next?

If we really wanted to boost a woman's libido, then take the pressure off her. Pay her what she is worth at work at the same level as men. Give her time to get enough sleep so she is rested for once in her life. Sleep does wonders for the libido and desire for sex. Sleep deprivation forces us to prioritize so we will choose restoring sleep first and foremost. With enough rest the body corrects everything that is out of balance. Get enough sleep, avoid paying for a wonder drug - your wallet is happier, go direct to happy sex life.






*** For more details: 'Pink Viagra?' Drug Promises to Boost Female Sex Drive (ABC) Some Call Flibanserin, New Drug, 'Female Viagra'


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Proof depression hurts womens’ hearts

On NBC News with Brian Williams - “Severe depression may silently break a seemingly healthy woman's heart. Doctors have long known that depression is common after a heart attack or stroke, and worsens those people's outcomes. Researchers reported new evidence that depression can lead to heart disease in the first place.”

From Denny: All the more reason to find ways to keep a positive attitude. Do little things which bring us joy!

Photo by lepiaf.geo @ flickr