It’s estimated that one in seven women deal with postpartum depression but the numbers are a little murkier when it comes to Black women. The lack of data can be attributed to how many don’t speak out about the condition. That’s why Halle Bailey’s honesty about her recent battle with postpartum depression struck a chord with so many women.
How Postpartum Affects the Black Community
Despite not having as much data about Black women’s postpartum depression as they would like, some studies still provide some good insight. For example, it’s been shown that Black Americans are twice as likely to develop the condition than other ethnicities. However, they’re not always given the care they need when they ask for it. Firstly, they may not be referred for assessment because their doctors don’t believe they need it.
Secondly, even when an assessment is given, the questions may not flag depression because some Black women describe their symptoms differently. Studies show that many women are more likely to report being constantly tired than the lingering sadness that people expect.
Finally, some women worry that getting diagnosed will affect their ability to keep their children - especially if there have been issues with child protective services before. Unfortunately, that leaves them struggling alone to deal with the symptoms of what can be a debilitating condition.
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What Halle Had to Say
Though Halle was relatively quiet about her pregnancy and birth, she opened up in an interview with People Magazine. In the interview, she likened dealing with postpartum depression to “it almost feels like you’re swimming in this ocean that’s like the biggest waves you’ve ever felt and you’re trying not to drown. And you’re trying to come up for air.”
That description hit a chord with many women who praised her for speaking out about the condition as they didn’t have anyone to speak to about it when they needed to. According to several studies related to postpartum depression and Black women, that’s not uncommon. Black women often feel the pressure to conform to the stereotype of the ‘strong Black woman’ and don’t ask for the help they need.
Halle might not have used those words but she admitted that her decision to speak out was prompted by comments she had seen on social media. Otherwise, she would have done what so many other Black women have done before her - keep her struggle to herself.
One thing that her admission highlighted, however, was how different postpartum depression can be for everyone. In her interview, she notes that she has bonded with her son and often finds it difficult to be away from him for more than 30 minutes. For some women, the opposite is true. Postpartum depression can prevent you from bonding with your baby and give you depression so severe that you’re unable to leave the bed to care for them.
Some of the other possible symptoms of postpartum depression include severe mood swings, anger, insomnia or sleeping too much, withdrawal from everyone, inability to concentrate, feelings of worthlessness, feeling that you’re not a good parent, and recurring thoughts of suicide.
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The Importance of Getting Help
While many people associate postpartum depression with a new pregnancy, experts note that it can happen at any point within a year after giving birth and last for months. Halle noted that it took a year after having her son to “feel normal in my own skin.” She also mentioned that her partner was highly supportive as she dealt with the condition.
Unfortunately, not everyone has that kind of support or can bond with their baby when going through postpartum depression. Studies show that women who don’t bond with their babies can have trouble breastfeeding them or helping babies meet their developmental markers. These issues may have long-term effects on a child.
It can be daunting to ask for help but it’s the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. You should tell your doctor if your symptoms last longer than two weeks, if you’re having trouble taking care of your baby, and if you’re having any thoughts of self-harm. In many cases, therapy is enough to help you manage the condition but some people will need medication to get things back on track.
Though many Black women deal with postpartum depression, few of them say anything. Given the positive reaction to Halle Bailey’s admission, it’s clear that many women wish they’d had support when going through it. If you have any of the symptoms of postpartum depression, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. You don’t need to suffer through it alone.