"A recent study shows that maternal depression is higher four years after birth than within the first year ..."
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This is interesting... and worrying. I always thought the hardest thing for me emotionally would be postpartum, though it makes sense that childrearing becomes harder when said child starts to assert his/her independence and disciplining is a full-time job.
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@meredithNYC: This frightens me because it does make sense.
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@SugarplumsMom: That was interesting, thanks for sharing. By four years after birth there is often another LO thrown into the mix, so I wonder if that has an impact.
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@lawbee11: I was thinking that or maybe the eldest becoming independent. I worry I will have a little depression when my babies are not my babies anymore.
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Stuff like this used to worry me more before having my baby. Now I do sort of *get it*... I've never been so unhappy as when things aren't right with my baby. But I've also never been so happy as when they are right. Lows are lower. Highs are higher. I might have (probably will have) some rough emotional patches coming up... but already I'm certain that no matter what I ever had to go through it would be worth it. So why worry about it?
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I seriously cannot imagine anything being more depressing than coming home with a screaming baby and a squishy, spare tired round my waist, huge leaky nipples and stitches on my vagina, but, I guess there *is* worse:)
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I'm not surprised. Maybe it's the mommy guilt?
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I really love this! I love all the openness about PPD but I also feel like it is easier to talk about because there is a hormonal component. Fewer people are willing to admit to depression when it is a result of circumstances. I definitely experienced an uptick in my depression-type triggers when I had to start disciplining.
My feelings....
Did they control for SAHM vs WOHM? On the whole SAHMs experience more depression and WOHMs are happier than SAHMs even if they are busier.
Age in general can uptick depression...I'm just saying this from experience I have no scientific knowledge to back that up with. I mean I definitely feel more pressure in all areas of my life at 30 than I did at 26. Motherhood really compresses your social and career options and age just compounds that. The study says that women who had their children younger are at higher risk. I can see someone at 18 not really realizing the extent of the limitations put on them by parenthood and by 22 they might have a more narrow concept of their future. I know even I can feel that way but obviously nowhere close to the extent that a younger mother might feel.
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@SugarplumsMom: great article! (Curious about your avatar. )
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The article really resonates with me. Everything I have been through this past year dealing with my 5 year old was much more difficult emotionally than having a newborn (and PPD). I think all moms can relate to the feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and sheer discouragement that come out when you are in the trenches. It's just harder seeing it played out in your older child. The challenges really never end when you are a mom!
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