Bravery?

My post about my postpartum depression made some waves, in my pool of friends and beyond.  I've gotten several notes about it--some from people I know, and some from people I haven't met yet.  Most of these notes called me "brave" for speaking about it.  I appreciate this sentiment and it was so kind for people to write, but I want the shoe to be on the other foot--I want for people who hold a stigma about mental health to have to be brave.

Brave enough to confront the fact that they hold such a stigma.

Brave enough to treat me, and anyone else with a mental health issue, the same as you'd treat someone that was struggling with asthma.  After all, they're both simply illnesses.

Brave enough to cast off that stigma about people with mental health issues and speak out in favor of a more supportive and accepting view.

As an update, Kathryn is ten weeks old today and I feel good.  I take 75 mg of Zoloft each morning and I keep the telephone number of my counselor close by, in case I feel I need some extra support.  I have several supportive friends at church who check in with me and invite me to things, and both sets of parents check in often.  I am aware I also have a lot of prayer support that continues each day.

I love spending time with Kathryn and often ask Jared to let me hold her more, even though he's home from work and wants to love on her some.  I'm able to get chores and errands done at a fairly good pace, and I feel hopeful and confident about each day and the future.  I am so thankful to God for His many blessings in my life.

I'm humbled and glad that some people have found my openness to be helpful and emboldening.  But I want to see this go farther.  Mental health issues are not rare.  An estimated 26.4 percent of adult Americans (that means about 1 in 4 people) have a mental disorder in any given year.  This includes anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, bipolar, etc.  In total, that's about 60 million Americans.  And none of us should feel we have to hide it.  Hiding it or ignoring it only makes the disorder worse!  Instead, talk about it and seek treatment.  Reach out to family, friends, a pastor or a counselor.  Dare people to confront the stigma and change it.  Do not accept (or fear) peoples' negative (and ignorant) judgement based simply upon an illness.        

2 Month Well Visit

Kathryn, you are 9 weeks today, but you were officially 2 months old yesterday.  We visited Dr. Ennis this afternoon, and she's very happy with your progress!  You are 23.5 inches long (90th percentile), your head circumference is 15.5 inches (70th percentile), and you weigh 10lb 12oz (50% percentile).  It seems you may be a tall girl!

You got five shots in your legs today, and also got the oral vaccine.  You were straining for more of the oral vaccine, because it tastes sweet.  The shots weren't fun--you screamed, but you were calm again within two minutes.

Dr. Ennis said you seemed developmentally on track in every way.  Daddy and I are glad to hear that!