Last week, we watched a story unfold about a woman who was shot dead at after a bizarre car chase in Washington, D.C. Details were very fuzzy as the news initially reported who 34-year-old Miriam Carey was and what could have been her motive for driving erratically with her child in the car. Various stations speculated there may have been mental health issues surrounding her delusions of President Obama stalking her. Carey’s mother and sister have both come out to the media, stating that she was suffering from postpartum depression with psychosis.
Symptoms of postpartum psychosis include disorientation, hallucinations, paranoia, and attempts to harm your baby or yourself. In December, Carey told police that she believed “President Obama would place the city of Stamford under a ‘lockdown’ and that he had her and her residence under electronic surveillance.” Discoveries in her apartment led officials to believe her mental state was deteriorating over time, but she had not been hospitalized for the issue.
Postpartum psychosis is a separate disorder from postpartum depression or baby blues. Both disorders affect a mother’s bonding with her child, as well as functioning from day to day. It usually sets in about two weeks after childbirth and could last up to a year. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) 9-16% of women will experience PPD. Women living in large cities are more likely to experience it than women living in rural areas.
An article in the Journal of Cultural Diversity that covered postpartum depression in African American women stated,
Participants suggested that depression was something that would not be disclosed readily among African-American people (or outsiders) because of the stigma attached to it and the negative consequences.
These negative consequences include past atrocities encountered by African-American people in health care systems, particularly mental health institutional systems where African-American children were taken from their mothers, and other stigmas regarding African-American women’s care of their children.
This unfortunate incident is an eye opener for a conversation that desperately needs to be had surrounding mental health and the black community. I personally don’t know any women in my circle who have admitted to suffering from PPD, but I know they are out there. We can help by educating ourselves about the problem, offering support if your loved one may be having the baby blues, and seeking help that is available if you’re experiencing the symptoms.
How can we deal with PPD better in our community?
Randi McCray says
I know a few women who suffered from this quietly. Unfortunately, in my experience, I find the mentality we suffer in the black community that forces us to get up and get over it, wont allow us to face many of these issues and it often gets overlooked. I think we can begin by undestanding it’s real and being open to having converations about it.
Briana Myricks says
Yes Randi, a lot of women are suffering quietly, which is heartbreaking because it’s support that they desperately need. Many are met with the “get over it” response, which is why they don’t come out and admit that they’re having issues. If we can stand together as a community and acknowledge that mental health is not to be taken lightly and deserves just as much, if not more attention than physical health, then we can help combat these issues.
Lauren Johnson says
Many women in Black community suffer from PPD or even some form of PPD, “baby blues” etc including myself. It was only until I did some research that I realized that I was suffering from this. I am highly aggravated and irritable at times for the smallest of things that I would not normally be annoyed about and sometimes I have bouts of depression. I feel neurotic and anxious sometimes, especially if it is something going on in my business, etc. However, for us on the larger funnel of economic status, having stress about paying the bills does not help either. We in the Black community always attribute these conditions to financial and other societal stress and rightfully so because symptoms like these compound it.
Currently, I am starting to find my space where I can process my own thought and learn to navigate through it. It also helps that my baby is now 1 and is in the weaning process as well as having a business where I do what I love to do. 🙂
Briana Myricks says
Thank you so much for sharing your story Lauren! Finding your space is very important, and having a good support system is crucial. Did you tell your family and friends what you were going through, and if so, how did they respond?
Lauren Johnson says
I told my husband and he was like “Oh, so that’s why! Because that’s not the Lauren I know and love.” I was like Wow! I didn’t realize that it becomes a complete personality changer because it seems like its just a part of everyday life. It sneaks up on you and when worries trouble you, it make it worse. So yes, having a spiritual space to contemplate your own thoughts is EXTREMELY important or else those emotions can take toll and run amuck. Thanks for your reply.
Terry says
After my first two kids I went through PPD at the time being so young I didn’t know what this was I really thought something was wrong with because I didn’t want to have kids this early. I was 20 when I had my first child and my husband and I were going through so much. We had to move back in with my mom because we barely had income coming in and 6months later I was pregnant again with no insurance. Here I was so young with 2kids and looking at my life like this isn’t right it was supposed to be better. I found myself hating to live each the day and really didn’t want to look at my kids or husband. I cut myself off completely from friends and family and didn’t want to be a mother or wife. It was a struggle and all my mom could say was I told you that you were too young to get married now you have messed up your life. After I got pregnant last year while taken birth control PDD wasn’t so bad but I really haven’t got over because I still cry everyday and wish things were different and I didn’t have kids. I am 25 now with 3 and I still can’t chase my dreams because money or the kids are always in the way,but I tell myself everything happens for a reason and one day it will be better. Reading this article has opened my eyes to what this was that I have been dealing with for 6yrs and its very helpful.
Briana Myricks says
Thank you for sharing your story Terry. I’m so sorry that you’ve been going through this without really knowing what’s going on. It’s a real issue and it’s serious. I’m sorry your mom wasn’t as supportive. It’s possible she doesn’t know how to help because she’s not familiar with PPD.
I’m a firm believer than everything happens for a reason. God doesn’t put us in situations that He doesn’t think we can handle. You’ve got this! While things may not have gone how you would’ve liked, you have such an amazing role as a mother.
If possible, try to reach out to your friends and family. PPD is hard to experience by yourself and it helps to have a strong support system around you. Maybe a support group of other moms who are experiencing something similar with help as well. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
ashlee says
I was wondering what the whole situation was about that happened in the capital. I only seen it headlined in the news. I did not hear the details. I have never heard of PPD psychosis either. I suffered from PPD and PTSD myself. After I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd child I had a complete mental breakdown. Its been almost 3yrs now. I have been through the medication, the therapists, psychiatrists, no job, no money and mostly no support. I had a serious suicidal attempt that finally woke me up. Ever since then I have been taking it one day at a time. I still take some medication and I do see a therapist from time to time, but it has been with serious time, faith and prayer that I have been able to find myself through. The stigma surrounded around mental illness in the African American community seriously saddens me. I was completely dismissed at times as if I was just making this stuff up and my situation was not as serious as it really was. I believe until you have lived it there is no way for you to completely understand the day to day terror one goes through. To have to live in depression and also be responsible for children on top of that is a nightmare!!! You can feel yourself slowly breaking down and slipping away. I know the only way I came up was Jesus Christ. If more of us speak up and say that this thing IS in fact REAL and it is NOT a game maybe people will begin to listen, but we have to speak up and tell our stories and we cannot wait until we are desperate nor can we fake as if everything is okay when we know that everything is really not. We cannot stand by and allow depression to take our lives, dreams, hopes and aspirations!!! WE MUST FIGHT!!!! Life is not over no matter what age or circumstances you may have a child in. It is possible to overcome your circumstances. We must believe it is possible. God bless!!!
Briana Myricks says
Ashlee, thank you so much for sharing your story and praise God that you’re coming up! Like you said, unless you’ve experienced it, I can only imagine what you’ve been going through. I’m glad that you got a wake up call and that you’re still here to share your testimony. God is more than able. I’ll be praying for you and your little ones.
Denesha Chambers says
As a therapist, I just want to applaud Briana and BMWK for discussing this topic. Its imperative for those “suffering in silence” so thank you and with Oct being Depression Awareness Month its quite timely. I send my prayers and encouragement to each of the ladies that shared their story. Motherhood is not easy in general let alone while experiencing PPD or any other mental health condition. So please don’t let anyone shame you into not asking for help or support. There are therapists or local/online support groups to help if your loved ones dont understand what you are going through. Be well and God bless.
Briana Myricks says
Thank you Denesha. We feel that it is a very important and not often discussed topic, and the unfortunate incident with Miriam Carey brought it to the forefront. As a therapist, what do you suggest are some things that family and friends can do to help their loved one who may be experiencing PPD?
Cierra says
I am suffering through ppd and anxiety. I just had my lil on on dec 22 and brought him home on christmas.. everything was fine until I went home. All hell and emotion broke through. I had a c section so my experience was traumatizing. Ive lost my appetite at home. Havent ate much sense. Now its causing me headaches im anemic so my blood has been low. I feel off beat and ive been crying at every little thing. My anxiety attacks sent me in the hospital the day before new years eve. With my anxiety comes jittery chill like shakes, fast heart rate, light headed and shortness of breath. This has caused me to be more depressed than I was. Irs debilitating. I feel lost and out of touch from the world. If any of you can facebook me and keep me in your circle of recovery please do so. My email is [email protected]. we need to keep each other motivated. The enemy is out to kill steal and destroy.
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