.png)
Impact of PPD on Family & Friends
How to Support a Loved One with Postpartum Depression
If someone you love is suffering from postpartum depression (PPD), you might not know how to offer support. For one, it can be emotionally taxing to provide moral support. You might also feel helpless. However, there might be instances where their suffering is not as obvious. Even if there are no visible signs and you are unsure if your loved one is experiencing PPD, it is vital to be there and listen to their emotions and needs if they eventually do decide to confide in you.
What You Can Do:
Communicate
It might be challenging to understand your loved one if you have not experienced PPD, but you can offer encouragement. Even if they are unwilling to share, your comforting words can help them openly express their feelings.
Stay in Touch
Check-in with your loved one, even if they are not communicative. Just remember that PPD and other perinatal mood disorders are taxing and require much energy to process and address. Please do not take it personally. Even something as small as a quick text can let them know that they are not alone, and you love and support them.
Be Present
It can be challenging for someone to openly talk about their emotions and feelings when suffering from PPD. When your loved one trusts and decides to confide in you, actively listen. Be mindful of your tone and body language.
