Anger as author tells mums with postpartum depression to just meditate

post partum depression

by Hayley Kadrou |
Published on

As you can imagine, mothers suffering from this illness - and generally people with knowledge of it - were angered that the serious condition had been minimalised by the public figure.

In response to the news that, in the US, woman experiencing depression and/or mood disorders during and after pregnancy are finally going to be given the opportunity to be screened for their condition, a best-selling author took to Facebook to express her opinion on the matter.

Marianne Williamson, an American spiritual teacher, author and lecturer wrote:

"Their answer, of course, is to 'find the right medication.'

"Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy are NORMAL. Mood changes are NORMAL.

"Meditation helps. Prayer helps. Nutritional support helps."

As you can imagine, many suffers were upset at having their illness reduced, being told simple lifestyle changes are the answer to serious mental health conditions, especially at the incredible vulnerable time of becoming a parent.

See the full post here:

post partum depression
post partum depression ©facebook

One user commented on the post:

"I am no fan of big pharma, but suggesting that meditation, prayer, nutritional support, and love are the only answer, and that medication is "bad", further contributes to the shame of women drowning in very real postpartum depression.

"My husband loved me unconditionally and made sure we had prayer and support covered. And when he saw that I was still suffering, he insisted I get help.

"I am grateful to this day. You are not doing women or their families any favors with this misguided and irresponsible...and YES, dangerous!...post."

post partum depression
post partum depression ©Alamy

And another:

"Postpartum mood disorders are very real and are outside of what is normal postpartum transitions.

"So many women go undiagnosed and suffer greatly and it impacts the entire family. Minimizing that there is even a problem and suggesting that it's all about big pharma does a disservice to all the women who suffer with this terrible affliction."

In the UK alone, as many as one in 10 women suffer postnatal depression, and according to the NHS website, between 50-70 per cent of women who have moderate to severe postnatal depression improve within a few weeks of starting antidepressants.

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