“What Kind of Mother Am I? My Family Thought I Was Just Drama”: A Woman’s Battle with Postpartum Depression

After childbirth, many new mothers face postpartum depression (PPD), often without understanding or support from family and close ones. This was the experience of Vaibhavi Kushwaha, a 30-year-old working woman, who shared how the deep sadness and emotional turmoil she felt after her daughter’s birth was dismissed by her family as mere “drama.”

The Hidden Struggle

Despite widespread awareness about mental health, real understanding often remains scarce. Feelings of sadness or anxiety in women are frequently trivialized as “overreacting” or “making a scene.” Vaibhavi recalls, “After my daughter’s birth, when I was struggling with postpartum depression, everyone around me treated my condition as drama. No one asked if I was okay, even when I cried for hours.”

Joy Amid Despair

While everyone in the family celebrated her daughter’s arrival with music, sweets, and festivities, Vaibhavi felt none of the expected joy. She initially attributed her feelings to post-delivery weakness, hoping the sadness would pass. But the depression deepened over time, making her daily tasks feel like mere obligations without any emotional connection.

“I would feed, soothe, and hold my baby, but it all felt mechanical. Sometimes I even wondered why my child had come into my life, and I would blame myself for these thoughts,” she admits.

Isolation and Misunderstanding

Vaibhavi’s depression worsened as she withdrew from communication and affection, staying awake at night, feeling restless, and emotionally numb. Even her husband and in-laws dismissed her condition, calling it drama. “It was hardest when my husband didn’t understand, because that’s when you expect support the most,” she recalls.

Seeking Professional Help

Remembering a friend who had faced similar struggles, Vaibhavi sought professional help. A doctor diagnosed her with postpartum depression, taught her breathing exercises, and prescribed necessary medications. Slowly, with therapy and support, her mood improved, sleep normalized, and she began bonding with her daughter.

A Journey to Recovery

Vaibhavi gradually recovered and today, two years after her daughter’s birth, she describes herself as happy and fully healthy. “Now, my daughter is my entire world, but the dismissive remarks from family back then still sting,” she says.

(Disclaimer: This story is based on the experiences of Vaibhavi Kushwaha, a working woman; her name has been changed. Readers who wish to share similar experiences can email nbtlifestyle@timesinternet.in. Confidentiality will be strictly maintained.)