Yolanda

Somerset

"I had my first experience with postpartum depression after the birth of my second child," said Yolanda. "It was so stressful - I became frightened when my husband and my mother (who lives with me) went to sleep and left me alone to take care of him."

Yolanda didn't understand why she felt so fearful of being alone with her new son. As a nurse's assistant, her life has been focused on helping other people. "My life is to give love and aid to others. When I couldn't take care of my own son, I didn't know what to do."

Yolanda had not felt that way with her first child, who was 2 years old when the second was born. "I was so connected and confident with my first child, a little girl, that I couldn't understand why I didn't feel connected to the new baby. It wasn't like me."

Fearing for herself and her child, Yolanda sought help from her gynecologist after a month filled with anxiety, lack of sleep and loss of appetite. "I love to eat so I knew something was really wrong when I lost my appetite. The food felt like dust in my mouth. I ate just for the sake of nursing."

Yolanda was treated with anti-depressants and met with a psychiatrist to treat her postpartum depression. "I needed both the medicine and the support of my psychiatrist to get me through the depression." Yolanda also met regularly with other women who are suffering from postpartum depression.

"If I could send one message to help other women, it is this - don't stay home suffering, go seek help. It is important for women to know that they aren't alone and that they can recover - there is a light at the end of the tunnel."

Perinatal mood disorders are treatable. But first you have to ask for help.

call the helpline 24/7 at

1-800-328-3838