The Postpartum Depression (PPD) Sign Chrissy Teigen Missed
Anyone can experience postpartum depression:
It’s often surprising when a celebrity who can afford the best childcare has the same struggles as less privileged women, but I believe there was a major warning sign that might have helped Teigen and her husband, musician John Legend, get help sooner. Teigen had a long history with infertility and my research is showing that this may be a significant indicator.
One of the surprising findings of a study we’re currently conducting at the University of Calgary indicates that couples who are undergoing infertility treatments have higher rates of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after delivery. While this may seem unsettling, it could give a couple a head start. Armed with this information, pregnant women and their partners who fall into this category could find a therapist to help them navigate the difficult emotions they may be experiencing and head off worse problems down the road.
There’s a lot to learn from Teigen’s story. As she shared during her interview, she had these common warning signs:
Common warning signs for postpartum depression:
Numbness:
“I lost all interest in everything.”
Constant exhaustion:
“I couldn’t get out of bed.”
Self-blame:
“It’s really hard to know how privileged you are and still feel frustrated, angry and lonely. It makes you feel like more of a b****.”
Desire to escape:
The doctor asked, “’Do you have these feelings? Would you be happier tomorrow if you didn’t wake up?’ And yes, I probably would be. That’s a big deal! I didn’t realize how bad it was until I was out of it.”
If any of these symptoms ring a bell, during pregnancy or after delivery, please don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor and get help. There’s no need to suffer in silence and a lot to be gained from getting assistance right away.
Further Information
Related Article:
Click here to read about how Chrissy Teigen Opened Up About Her Postpartum Depression Struggles
