Real Moms, Real Talk – Baby Blues & Postpartum Depression (Part 2)

It is estimated that 1 in 5 women in the US experience postpartum depression. In part one of our interview, we spoke with Quiana Wade,  a PPD survivor who cares enough about the well-being of other moms that she wanted to share her story. In this interview, we caught up with Dr. Johannson for a deeper understanding about PPD.

Is there an under diagnosis of PPD?

The hard part is there is a grey line between postpartum blues (which is more common), and postpartum depression (which is much more serious). It can be hard to tell the difference and some people prefer not to expose that part of themselves. They don’t want to seem like they can’t handle it.

What is the difference between Postpartum/Baby blues (PPB) and PPD?

I think the biggest thing is the transient nature of the baby blues. Mothers have moments or days in which they feel down, unworthy or just overwhelmed. That’s a very common thing in the early parts of the postpartum period. But it’s interspersed with other parts of it that they enjoy. They still enjoy their baby and still get pleasure out of their child. There are up periods and not just downs. The ups will become more frequent over time.

Depression tends to be much deeper and lasts much longer… Continue Reading

Dr. Joshua JohannsonDr. Joshua Johannson is the Director of Cheaha Women’s Health and Wellness in Anniston, AL and specializes in OB/GYN. He is also the Co-Chair of the Alabama Breastfeeding Committee and founder of Northeast Alabama Baby Cafe.

Why do you feel there is a stigma attached to mental health as it relates to the African-American community? Is it because we are too blessed to be stressed?

 

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