Breaking the Silence: 21 Raw Postpartum Depression Quotes to Heal By

This article was written in partnership with Brightside Health, a supporter of Peanut and women alike.

Hey, your mental health matters.

Words matter.

They can be soothing antidotes in times of trouble, help us feel less alone, and provide the affirmations we may need to cultivate resilience.

These postpartum depression quotes are intended to do just that.

But before we dive in, if you are struggling with your mental health, know that help is available in various forms.

Therapy and medication—or a combination of the two—have all been proven to be effective treatments for postpartum depression.

And getting the help you need is important for both you and your baby.

The CDC offers these resources that include helplines and educational material.

If you’re at all in doubt, speak with your doctor.

And if that feels too much right now, speak to your friends, family, or Peanut community.

You are not alone.

In this article: 📝

Is postpartum depression a chronic disease?

Chronic illnesses are defined as those that last for a year or more and require ongoing medical attention.

For some, postpartum depression can fit into this definition, with about 5% of women reporting that they experience symptoms for three years after their baby is born.

Many new mothers get what’s called “the baby blues”—feelings of sadness which resolve a few days after giving birth.

But postpartum depression is different from this.

It’s a serious mental health condition that affects both your physical and psychological health.

And cause you to feel disconnected from your baby and your own needs.

So, if you are feeling hopeless and low for more than two weeks after you’ve given birth, it may be that you are experiencing postpartum depression.

The good news is that help is available.

Antidepressants and counseling are both effective treatments.

In 2019, the FDA has also approved a medication called brexanolone for the treatment of postpartum depression—it's given via an IV by a doctor or nurse for about two and a half days.

And if you want someone to talk to, our friends at Brightside Health can help, with mental health care for new moms and appointments within as little as 48 hours, so you can get the help you need, when you need it.

The bottom line is that you have options. And this will get better.

What is postpartum depression usually a result of?

Having a baby can ignite a flurry of intense emotions, from giddiness and elation to anxiety and sadness.

Becoming a new mom means letting go of certain parts of your life—and yourself—which can sometimes feel like grieving.

And it’s not just the person giving birth, postpartum paternal depression can affect one in ten new dads.

Even surrogates and adoptive parents are vulnerable.

It’s a life-changing experience, whether it’s altering your hormones, body, emotions, finances, or social circle—and these changes can absolutely cause symptoms of PPD.

But there are some risk factors that might make you more prone to experiencing postpartum depression.

These include:

• Previous history of depression or anxiety
• Experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy
• Having a pregnancy that had significant risks, challenges, or labor complications
• Life factors like a negative attitude towards being pregnant and fear of the stress of parenting
• The interplay of different hormones, particularly estrogen and oxytocin
• Having a baby with a low birth weight
• Coping with pregnancy fears
• Becoming pregnant at a young age, with the highest risk in mothers between 13 and 19 years old
• A history of sexual abuse

There are so many reasons why postpartum depression can hit.

And there’s nothing wrong with you if it affects you.

It’s just important that you get the help and support you need.

What do you say to someone battling postpartum?

It’s hard to know the right words when someone close to you is struggling with their mental health.

And harder too, when they find it difficult to reach out.

Everyone copes in different ways—some crave the company to unload and feel seen, and others find sanctuary in solitude.

Supporting someone working through postpartum depression symptoms looks more like respecting their needs than lending them profound words of wisdom.

But still, it’s better to have the conversation and let them take the lead than avoid it altogether.

It all depends on how close your relationship is.

At the end of the day, PPD can be isolating, so here are some things you can say to help them feel connected:

1. "What can I do to help you?": PPD shows up in different ways, so ask them what areas they need support in to get through. Whether it’s walking with them in public spaces or helping them to form a daily routine, ask and deliver.
2. "You really are a badass mom": It’s hard to see your progress when you’re deep in the trenches. Sending a kind reminder or praising her for a small win can offer a welcome boost in the right direction. Acknowledgment goes a long way.
3. "You’re on my mind": Postpartum depression is lonely, and the inner voice can be less than helpful. Let her know you see her and are rooting for her—validation is powerful.
4. "Do you want to join me?" Whether it’s to the park, the shop, or the local bakery for a treat, keeping her connected to the outside world can help keep the isolation at bay.
5. "Would you like a helping hand?" Never underestimate the relief of an extra pair of hands. Offer her a chance to catch up on sleep or get out of the house for a breather.
6. "If you need someone to talk to…" They may feel daunted to seek professional help so if they feel ready, offer to research different support groups or therapists for them. You could take it further by arranging appointments and going with them—just let them guide you on what they need.
7. "Just listen": Sometimes, the most powerful words are the ones you hear from the person suffering. Offer your friend support by showing them you have space for them to offload free from judgment or unsolicited advice.
   

Postpartum depression quotes

These quotes about postpartum depression are no substitute for treatment.

But they can provide comfort while you or your loved one heal.

Or, bring it home that you are absolutely not alone.

1. “I thought I was going to avoid [postpartum depression]. When I gave birth, the doctor told me about postpartum, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m doing good right now, I don’t think that’s going to happen.’ But out of nowhere, the world was heavy on my shoulders.” — Cardi B
2. “For me, I would just wake up and feel like I was covered in tar, and it wasn't the first time I'd experienced depression, so I just thought, ‘Oh, well, this feels familiar, I'm depressed, I think[....]’ And then simultaneously, my personal history of depression where it was so normalized for me to be in the quicksand, as I call it, or in the tar. It does feel like tar like everything feels heavy.” — Alanis Morrisette
3. “When you study postpartum depression, there is a very clear understanding that in communities where you see more support, there is less depression.” — Ariel Gore
4. “This gripped my heart to such an extent that I didn't even have the desire to try to overcome it. I mean, I was flattened by it. I was devastated by it. And it wasn't the ‘baby blues.’ And I was told it was the ‘baby blues’ at first. And so then, what was wrong with me was even worse. I thought, ‘Well then, I must epitomize failure if I can't even get past this. [...] And then we also have this image of motherhood, you know, the breastfeeding and hair cascading down and connection with the infant instantly[....] It has nothing to do with your love for [your children]. … It is something that is in your body, the loss of estrogen, the amount of hormones. … Pay attention to the feelings that you're feeling and talk about it and ask your doctor. … Find out what medicine's available. You don't have to be miserable." — Brooke Shields

6. “Postpartum is very real. And there's so many resources that we just have to help each other find what they are and keep getting the word out there.” — Reese Witherspoon
7. "My doctor pulled out a book and started listing symptoms. And I was like, ‘Yep, yep, yep.’ I got my diagnosis: postpartum depression and anxiety. I remember being so exhausted but happy to know that we could finally get on the path of getting better. John had that same excitement. I started taking an antidepressant, which helped. And I started sharing the news with friends and family—I felt like everyone deserved an explanation, and I didn’t know how else to say it other than the only way I know: just saying it. It got easier and easier to say it aloud every time. (I still don’t really like to say, ‘I have postpartum depression,’ because the word depression scares a lot of people. I often just call it ‘postpartum.’ Maybe I should say it, though. Maybe it will lessen the stigma a bit.)” — Chrissy Teigen
8. “There is hope in knowing this about postpartum depression: You are not the only one to experience this confining, crazy-making inner chaos within yourself.” — Judy Dippel
9. “After giving birth to my son, I had struggled with depression, and there were a lot of the same feelings I had when I was a teenager. I’d never taken care of a baby; I’d never even held a baby or changed a diaper until my son, baby Hank. I never even knew one rule or one thing to do. I really went on instincts. I think it’s important to talk about because nobody really talked about it — I didn’t know I was going to get that depressed. I would always hear about postpartum, but I never really believed it was true. There were times I couldn’t handle what I was going through. I snapped a couple times, I screamed — but I never put my baby in danger. Whenever he would take a nap, I would take it all out and cry. You can’t really control what you feel inside after you have a baby.” — Kendra Wilkinson
10. “When I knew that I had postpartum [depression]… I didn’t want to admit it. It was that shame. ... I told my sister about it. I told my husband about it, and I told my friends about it. They became my support system. So when I was sad or going through my emotions, I would talk about it. I didn’t suppress them. I think that helped.” — Tia Mowry
11. “It takes you a while [to know you have PPD] and you feel off, you don't feel like yourself. But, you know, women are so resilient and that's the incredible thing about them. And I think I'm all the stronger for it. I think I'm a better mom because of it, because you never take that connection for granted.” – Hayden Panettiere
12. “I had really bad postpartum depression after I had my son, and it frightened me. … My knowledge of postpartum—or postnatal, as we call it in England—is that you don’t want to be with your child; you’re worried you might hurt your child; you’re worried you weren’t doing a good job. But I was obsessed with my child. I felt very inadequate; I felt like I’d made the worst decision of my life. … It can come in many different forms.” — Adele
    

Depression during pregnancy quotes

If you need some support before you have your baby, here are some words that may help carry you through:

13. “There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” — Jill Churchill
14. “Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” — Linda Wooten
15. “Bad moments don’t make bad mamas.” — Lysa Terkeurst
16. “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen
17. “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher
18. "My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don't know why I wouldn't seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth. I go to the dentist. So why wouldn't I go to a shrink?" — Kerry Washington
19. "You are the one thing in this world, above all other things, that you must never give up on … Asking for help is the first step. You are more precious to this world than you'll ever know." — Lili Reinhart
20. “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” — John Green
21. "It is okay to have depression, it is okay to have anxiety, and it is okay to have an adjustment disorder. We need to improve the conversation. We all have mental health in the same way we all have physical health." — Prince Harry

If there's one thing you can take away from these postpartum depression quotes, mama, is that this will pass.

And we’ll say it one more time: You're not alone.

You've got this.

And we've got you. ❤️