Moms and Depression

Many women suffer from some form of depression in their lifetime; it is one of the largest unmet health needs of women. Depression affects not only a mother, but her children as well. Being a mom takes not only good physical endurance, but also emotional well-being. Quite often women in need go untreated for depression. All women, at times, feel over worked and over whelmed, but this depression is different from feeling sad occasionally. it involves a loss of interest in activities you once loved, and emotional emptiness. These feelings are experienced along with difficulty sleeping and of loss of concentration. A Mom might feel as if she should be able to take care of herself, that her problem won’t affect anyone else in the family, but it will. Children of depressed mothers often suffer from a wide range of symptoms themselves such as; stomachaches, sleep problems, behavior issues and withdrawal. The truly heartbreaking part is that the child often feels responsible for their mother’s sadness. If you question what you are feeling, please talk to a doctor. Please know you are not alone. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, what you are showing is a great sign of strength.