A quick warning to those of you who have by visual intrusive thoughts: Do NOT click on the links included below, ok? Just trust me on what I’ve written here.
Earlier this evening I received a Google Alert for Postpartum Depression which included a story about a Mom in Massachusetts who brutally attacked her two year old daughter. While absolutely tragic, the story itself did not have the phrase “Postpartum Depression” anywhere in the text. Another story I read regarding the same situation also did not mention PPD. The mother instead claims she was being stalked by a cult.
So why did I get the alert?
Because the folks who commented on the story were passionately embroiled in debate about Moms who USE the Postpartum Depression defense.
Nevermind that this particular Mom (according to the news story) had not admitted to PPD or PPP. No, that didn’t matter.
At first I was confused and thought I had missed something within the text which is why I looked for an additional story with more detail. Still not finding anything there to indicate PPP or PPD, I became angry.
Angry with the ignorance of the folks debating the fate of this woman.
Angry that they would jump to the conclusion.
Angry that a few of them apparently believe PPD is a make-believe condition that Moms who kill use just to get lighter sentences or no sentences at all.
Here are just a couple of the infuriatingly ignorant comments:
As a mother, I simply cannot understand how a mother can harm their child. Mental illness or not, there is simply no excuse and unfortunately I think that women scream mental illness when they have done the unconscionable (i.e. God told me to do it, the voices told me to do it and other such things that there is really no concrete proof to support or disprove) in an effort to “get away” with their heinous act. This happens way more than it should and until such time as women are punished the same way men are for the same acts, they will continue to do these things.
Some people simply don’t deserve to be parents. Having kids is a privilege. I have no pity for her. There are thousands of women who can’t get pregnant and would love to adopt, and here is this animal playing the “PPD” card?
Ugh!
THIS is the kind of ignorance keeping women from speaking up and seeking help.
THIS is why some woman’s families refuses to treat her Perinatal Disorder.
THIS is why I SPEAK OUT. WHY I write. WHY I reach behind me to help those in need.
No mother should suffer in fearful silence until she breaks. Ever.
It’s time for the cycle to end.
