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Very importantly, Glaesmann's support system was minimal, as is the case with so many new moms in our society today.
"My family is an hour away and all of my neighbors worked, so there wasn't much support in the beginning. My friends didn't understand and some even told me to 'snap out of it,' like I could just change the way I was feeling!" she says.
"My husband was wonderful. He didn't understand what was happening to me, but he took over most of the baby care while he was home because he saw how out of it I was. He was very worried, but did not know what to do."
She gives a lot of credit to her parents. "My mother, who has experienced some depression herself, was very helpful to me emotionally AND physically. She came and took care of the baby while my husband was at work. We had endless talks about how I was feeling and about how she had coped with her problems. My father also stepped up to bat for me, babysitting and just hanging around so I could have company. I don't think he understood either, but was willing to do anything he could."
Now, Stacey Glaesmann says she is finally who she wanted to be when she conceived -- "a happy, healthy mother who adores her child." After therapy for several months, she continues on her medication at this time.
She has taken her experience and turned it into "a gift" to help educate and advocate for others. As an active participant in a local hospital-based support group, Glaesmann serves as an unofficial counselor to other moms with PPD, and is working toward her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Her educational and supportive website is listed in our Resource box above.
© Tracy Morris
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