My Journey of Overcoming Postpartum Depression and an Eating Disorder

Hello! Who are you?

I am Jennifer, and I’m an experienced dentist and owner at Macleod Trail dental clinic. I have been working as a dentist for the past 8 years. 

I live in Alberta, Canada. It’s a beautiful place with incredible landscapes, from the Rockies to the prairies. I’m a dentist, which means I’m part of the healthcare sector, focusing on oral health. I love what I do, as it allows me to make a positive impact on people’s lives through their dental care.

I’m happily married and have two wonderful kids. Family life is really important to me, and having two children brings a lot of joy and fulfillment. We don’t have any pets right now, but that’s simply a matter of personal preference and lifestyle.

Overall, I consider myself to be happy. My career, family life, and personal choices contribute to a sense of contentment and satisfaction in my life.

What is your struggle and when did it start?

I experienced postpartum depression and an eating disorder. The symptoms included persistent sadness, anxiety, a loss of appetite, and difficulty bonding with my baby. The eating disorder involved disordered eating patterns that further impacted my physical and mental well-being.

This struggle began during and shortly after the delivery of my baby. The combination of hormonal changes, physical exhaustion from childbirth, and the overwhelming responsibilities of new motherhood contributed significantly to my mental health issues.

Initially, I didn’t fully recognize the severity of my symptoms and thought they were part of the typical postpartum experience. However, as time went on, the symptoms became more pronounced and began to interfere with my daily functioning and ability to connect with my baby. This led me to seek professional help, which was a crucial step in addressing the issues.

The impact of this struggle was frequent and pervasive during the early postpartum period. It affected my daily life, interactions with my baby, and overall well-being. Seeking help and receiving support were essential in managing and reducing the impact over time.

How did this struggle make you feel at your worst moments?

During my worst moments, the struggle with postpartum depression and the eating disorder left me feeling overwhelmed and isolated. The persistent sadness and anxiety were paralyzing, making even the simplest tasks feel insurmountable. I struggled to find joy in daily activities, and the loss of appetite only compounded my sense of hopelessness.

There were days when I felt emotionally numb, unable to fully connect with my baby, and this made me question my abilities as a mother. The physical exhaustion from childbirth combined with these mental health challenges created a profound sense of fatigue that was both mentally and physically draining.

The severity of this struggle significantly impacted my happiness. It felt as though a heavy fog had descended over my life, making it difficult to appreciate the positives and fully engage with my family. My ability to find joy in the small moments was severely diminished, and I found it challenging to maintain a positive outlook. 

While some people around me might have noticed that I was struggling, I often tried to hide the extent of my difficulties. I was concerned about how my struggles might affect others’ perceptions of me and my competence as a mother and professional. This led me to mask my feelings and put on a brave face, even when I was feeling my lowest.

Seeking help was a pivotal moment, but until then, I often felt like I had to navigate these challenges alone, despite the support and understanding that others might have been willing to offer.

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Was there a moment when you started to turn things around?

I remember a specific moment when I began to feel a change for the better: it was during a therapy session when I first started to openly talk about my feelings and experiences.

There was a profound sense of relief in finally voicing my struggles and receiving validation from a professional. It felt as if a small but significant weight had been lifted off my shoulders. This breakthrough, coupled with a newfound understanding of my condition, marked the beginning of a gradual improvement in my mental health.

The change was the result of a combination of my actions and external circumstances. I’d say about 60% of the improvement came from the proactive steps I took, such as seeking therapy, adopting coping strategies, and making necessary lifestyle changes. The remaining 40% was influenced by external circumstances, including the support from my family and the gradual adjustments in my life that helped alleviate some of the pressures I was facing.

This balance between personal effort and external support was crucial in creating a more stable and positive environment for recovery.

The struggle impacted me for several months before I found effective strategies to turn things around. It was a challenging journey, but once I began to engage actively in my treatment and support systems, I started noticing gradual improvements. It took time to see significant changes, but recognizing the positive shift during that therapy session was a pivotal moment that set the stage for continued progress and recovery.

What steps did you take to overcome your struggle?

What really helped me was finding a therapist who specializes in postpartum depression and eating disorders. For instance, my therapist worked with me to develop a structured plan to address both my mental health and eating issues. We started by setting small, achievable goals for each week, which helped me feel a sense of accomplishment and control.

One specific technique she introduced was cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to challenge and reframe the negative thoughts that were contributing to my depression. This made a significant difference in how I viewed myself and my situation.

Another key aspect of my recovery was building a support network. I joined a local postpartum support group where I met other mothers who were going through similar experiences. Sharing my feelings and hearing others’ stories made me feel less isolated and more understood.

For example, I remember a particular group session where a fellow mom shared her coping strategies for managing overwhelming emotions, which inspired me to try journaling as a way to process my thoughts and feelings. This small change helped me manage my anxiety and gain insights into my own struggles.

Have you shared any of this with people around you in real life?

While some people around me might have noticed that I was struggling, I often tried to hide the extent of my difficulties. I was concerned about how my struggles might affect others’ perceptions of me and my competence as a mother and professional.

This led me to mask my feelings and put on a brave face, even when I was feeling my lowest. Seeking help was a pivotal moment, but until then, I often felt like I had to navigate these challenges alone, despite the support and understanding that others might have been willing to offer.

If you could give a single piece of advice to someone else that struggles, what would that be?

Looking back, there are a few key insights I wish I had known earlier:

Recognizing the signs early: I wish I had been more aware of the early signs of postpartum depression and an eating disorder. Understanding that feelings of sadness, anxiety, and disordered eating patterns could be indicative of these conditions would have prompted me to seek help sooner. Early intervention often leads to a more manageable and quicker recovery, and recognizing these signs early on could have made a significant difference in my experience.

The importance of self-compassion: I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of being kind to myself during this challenging period. I was often my harshest critic, which only compounded my struggles. Learning to practice self-compassion and understanding that it’s okay to seek help and take time for myself would have alleviated some of the added pressure and self-blame I felt.

Where can we go to learn more about you?

You can read more about me here.

💡 By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here. 👇

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