Tag Archives: #PPDChat

Healing through sharing

Notable tweets from the 09.05.11 #PPDChat.

Writing your story allows you to reflect on your experience and bring your story into physical existence. #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
When you do decide to share, be authentic. Be real. Be unapologetically you. #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
Deciding when and how to share is up to you. Don’t let anyone force you into sharing YOUR story. #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
Speaking in front of 200+ strangers 3 years after suffering from postpartum psychosis was the most cathartic thing I’ve ever done. #PPDchat
heathercoleman
September 6, 2011
@isalwayssick I find that each time I tell the story, it gets easier. It doesn’t own me, I own it. #PPDchat
heathercoleman
September 6, 2011
@unxpctdblessing – That temptation to toss an infant through a window is more common than many mothers realize… #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
@unxpctdblessing – When I told a friend that I was tempted to throw the baby through a window for a moment too, she cried. #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
@unxpctdblessing – and I told her "You’re not alone. A lot of moms feel that way, but you didn’t act on it. THAT’S what matters!" #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
Thoughts and actions are NOT the same. Thoughts are simply thoughts, and nothing more. Thoughts do not make you a bad person. #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
I’ve seen mothers burst into tears when they hear they aren’t evil, horrible mothers b/c of how they were feeling. #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
That realization comes from hearing someone else say "I felt that way too" #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
@isalwayssick So important for moms to know they are NOT evil for feeling depressed/anxious/etc #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
There’s a level of societal and personal expectation we place on ourselves. When we fail to live up to it, I think #PPD hits hard. #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
…knowing that those expectations are pure crap & that other moms struggle too helps so much. Share your story when you can. #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
My OCD was very hard to control pp. I am supermom! Did someone forget to tell me she doesn’t really exist. I can’t do it all! #ppdchat
zumbafitmom
September 6, 2011
@DrBeckerSchutte my dh found it reassuring to talk to ppl IRL and find out how prevalent it was #ppdchat
signingcharity
September 6, 2011
@signingcharity Oh, being a partner to someone with depression, especially PPD, is no cakewalk. They need support too! #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
#PPD can happen to anyone! It’s just important to get help and talk it out with someone you can trust. #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
@unxpctdblessing @xtina_morrison Agree. Getting help is not an admission that you can’t cope – it’s you being realistic w ur situ #ppdchat
notjustaboutwee
September 6, 2011
@unxpctdblessing Yup. No one really wants to hear the bad, they just want to be polite I wrote a post on my ability to say I’m fine #PPDchat
ToBreatheAgain
September 6, 2011
Because other moms who have been through it can help you fight the shame and self-loathing that wells up. #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
The hardest conversation is the one in which we admit we’re not okay to loved ones and friends. #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
@unxpctdblessing I think the hardest convo is with yourself. Admitting you’re struggling & in pain & being honest w yourself. #ppdchat
notjustaboutwee
September 6, 2011
Just talking to other mothers has helped #ppdchat
kate_leigh_
September 6, 2011
I kept trying to deny it, after talking with other mothers I knew it was time to pay attention to what was going on #ppdchat
kate_leigh_
September 6, 2011
@isalwayssick "I’m fine" and "I’m okay" are two red-flag codes for me. They’re what we say when we don’t feel safe. #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
I share my story at every childbirth class I teach. I want women to know it’s real & it’s okay to ask & get help. #ppdchat
zumbafitmom
September 6, 2011
It’s important to surround yourself with people who care about you and will support you as you heal. #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
Sharing our scary stories with others creates community while connecting all of us on the deepest level. #ppdchat
yaelsaar
September 5, 2011
I think so often that oh how I wish I had Twitter when I was #ttc & when I had #ppd! I felt so alone, especially with the latter. #ppdchat
beantownkate
September 5, 2011
I remember how scared I was the first time I talked about my anger in a group. And how much lighter I felt afterwards. #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
Naming the fear is a start, but it takes concrete support (therapist, pastor, family, friends) to step in & create healing. #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
I’m still guarded about what I say even anonymously. But this time around I think I’ve been more open overall. #PPDchat
mammacockatoo
September 6, 2011
@g8trgirl828 Ill be honest. Im not sure I can "go there" to write worst w/o being in therapy AND having real life support system. #ppdchat
callamery
September 5, 2011
I think that sharing is a huge piece of healing-a support group was what pulled me through the darkest time. #PPDChat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 5, 2011
Esp. since another round of friends seems to be having babies & I want them to know they don’t have to hide if something is "off" #PPDchat
mammacockatoo
September 6, 2011
I guess 1 fear is always not knowing who to trust with our sharing. If we don’t trust ourselves, how do we know who else to trust? #PPDchat
mammacockatoo
September 6, 2011
They’re not quite the same, the different kinds of screaming. One traps us in guilt, one gets us toward free. #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
my motto is it’s better to look good then feel good but the lie is wearing me out I fear being exposed #ppdchat
xtina_morrison
September 6, 2011
When I was in the dark, I had to find people who were safe to tell that I was in the dark, then I could begin to look for light. #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
When I was lost in the darkness, all I wanted was to talk to another mom. To know i was going to be okay and wasn’t abnormal. #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
I drove to a friend’s house when she admitted having #PPD. I shared my story w/ her, & she said it made a huge difference. #PPDChat
isalwayssick
September 6, 2011
nobody has a clue what I’m feeling because I’m lying Smiles on the outside Screaming inside #ppdchat
xtina_morrison
September 6, 2011
@xtina_morrison I know sometimes you have to put on a good face. But think how much it helps you when other moms don’t pretend. #ppdchat
story3girl
September 6, 2011
@xtina_morrison I think we’re all afraid of being exposed. There are so many expectations on us, from inside & outside. #ppdchat
DrBeckerSchutte
September 6, 2011
@xtina_morrison It’s hard to admit we’re not okay. But an absolute necessity toward healing. #ppdchat
unxpctdblessing
September 6, 2011
I know that when things got bad, I found some PPD moms’ blogs, and they really saved me. Which is why I want to write now. #ppdchat
story3girl
September 6, 2011

Dear #PPDChat Army: An Open Love Letter

Dear #PPDChat Army:

You are the most amazing moms in the entire world.

Your heart, your fire, your compassion, your wicked strength, your wisdom, your drive to not let anyone else suffer alone is mind-boggling.

This week, one of ours struggled publicly. You didn’t run away. You ran toward her. You held her. You listened. You reached out. For her. For yourselves.

So many of you dove into her maelstrom right along with her. You were there for her when it mattered most.

At the closing of every chat, I always say that help is only a tweet away. To use the hashtag and an army will be at your disposal.

This week?

You proved it beyond any reasonable expectation.

This week, you were an army. This week you bonded together, rallied around one of our own. This week you brought tears to my eyes. To the eyes of everyone involved. (HUGE thanks to the BAND for giving our mama a safe place to vent)

Thank YOU.

But now, now that she’s safe, in the hands of professionals and hopefully receiving the care she so desperately needs, we need to focus on ourselves. Turn the army toward ourselves.

When we support others, we often push aside our own fears. We push aside the scary, the hard, the sad, the bad. We suck it up because we don’t want the one to whom we’re reaching to think we are anything but strong.

It’s okay to exhale.

It’s okay to cry.

It’s okay not to be okay right now.

It’s okay to collapse.

It’s okay to say “Hey, #PPDChat? That was hella hard and I need support.”

We will be there.

It’s what we do.

It’s who we are.

It’s how we run things.

We’re strong, each and every one of us.

We’re beautiful, each and every one of us.

But we’re fragile too.

Together though?

As an army?

We are unstoppable.

We are here.

Together.

You, just like her, are not alone.

If you feel triggered by this past week, USE the hashtag.

I promise, an ARMY will be at your side instantly.

Because that’s how we do it.

I love each and every one of you so much it hurts.

You all ROCK.

Today, the #PPDChat Army walks into a hospital

Today, one of our own is taking a deep breath and walking into a hospital.

She’s not going alone.

We are all going with her. The whole #PPDChat army. Because that’s what we do… we go wherever we are needed. Today, we are needed at a hospital.

Pam, we love you. All of us. We are proud of you for taking this step. Proud of you for the courage we all know too well required to take this step. We know those doors are heavy, frightening, and full of all we don’t want to admit is wrong with us. But you are not pushing them open without us. We are all there, helping you push. Helping you heal. You’re not alone. You are loved. You are supported. By the Army. By the Band. You ROCK.

Also, #PPDChat Army & The Band? We totally rocked it this week – the love we showed Pam is a true testament to the power of social media – and proof that friendship doesn’t have to just be in person to be real. Thank YOU for helping to save a life.

Go leave Pam some love to read when she returns… read her blog post about checking in.

For those of you reading who are part of the #PPDChat army or the Band or just want to show love, @d20Blonde has brilliantly suggested we send Pam a gift to show her our love. Please find me on Twitter @unxpctdblessing or leave a comment stating you’d like to contribute. We’ll be collecting the money via Paypal. Anything you can spare would be greatly appreciated. Update: A gift was ordered and delivered to Pam today. Thank you to everyone who contributed. I’ll be checking into getting a virtual card for us to all sign for her as well.