Postpartum Depression; a disease which needs to be addressed

Postpartum Depression; a disease which needs to be treated

I was very happy that finally after so many years,I will have a baby, my own baby! I bought so many clothes and toys.
My son was born the day after my 29th birthday, I quit my job at the bank to stay with my son. I was the happiest person in the world.

Suddenly after few days of his birth things changed, I don't know how, I don't know why but I was angry all the time. I started throwing temper tantrums, me and my husband started fighting every day.

I started suffering from depression and severe anxiety.  I was experiencing moments of rage. I couldn't understand what was happening to me and also was unable to explain to others what I felt like. I was stuck in the deepest well of sadness every few days. I was cranky, sleep deprived felt tired most of the time.
I used to sit in a corner and cry for no reason, I thought I am a bad mom...

When ever I looked at my baby I felt very happy but after few minutes the smile faded from my face and I was back to my usual depressed self.
There was no one who understood me, my husband said " you had a normal delivery, baby is fine then why are you acting weird? You are not the first mother who has a newborn baby to care for"
Even my own family and friends expected me to act "perfectly". They wanted to talk, drop by and were asking for baby pictures all the time.

I was suffering from "postpartum depression" and the people of the world thought I am "just making a big deal".

I did not who to talk to? What to do?
I was confused, angry and frustrated at the same time!

PPD can strike without warning, 20% of postpartum moms suffer from it. It can happen to anyone; women with no history of depression or women who have had it before. It can happen to women who are highly successful in their careers or women who stay home with their children.  It can occur after the first baby, or after the fourth.
 It can happen to any woman...
It is a disease which needs to be treated.

That was the 70s, time has changed...

Women do talk about this issue, even high profile Hollywood stars create awareness about this issue!

My name is Raisa I am a mother of 4 and a grandmother now, I work as a councilor with a psychiatrist trying to help young women.