Chrissy Teigen is known for her honest (and often hilarious) wit on social media, bridging the gap between celebrity and rest of us mere mortals by being honest about everything from stretch marks to IVF to politics.
And now she has once again proven just why we love her – and wish more celebs could be as open and honest – by penning a powerful open letter about her battle with post-partum depression.
The 31-year-old model and TV presenter opens up about her experience following the birth of daughter, Luna with husband John Legend.
“When I wasn’t in the studio, I never left the house,” explained the magazine’s cover girl. “I mean, never. Not even a tiptoe outside. I’d ask people who came inside why they were wet. Was it raining? How would I know — I had every shade closed. Most days were spent on the exact same spot on the couch and rarely would I muster up the energy to make it upstairs for bed.”
“John would sleep on the couch with me, sometimes four nights in a row,” Teigen added. “I started keeping robes and comfy clothes in the pantry so I wouldn’t have to go upstairs when John went to work. There was a lot of spontaneous crying.”
Chrissy says she started to question herself, and whether she was just a different person now.
“Maybe I’m just not a goofy person anymore. Maybe I’m just supposed to be a mom,” she writes.
“I had everything I needed to be happy. And yet, for much of the last year, I felt unhappy. What basically everyone around me—but me—knew up until December was this: I have postpartum depression”
After going to see her doctor she was diagnosed with post-partum depression and anxiety.
“I also just didn’t think it could happen to me. I have a great life. I have all the help I could need: John, my mother (who lives with us), a nanny. But post-partum depression does not discriminate. I couldn’t control it. And that’s just part of the reason it took me so long to speak up: I felt selfish, icky and weird saying aloud that I’m struggling. Sometimes I still do.”
Post-partum depression (also known as post natal depression) affects 1 in 7 Australian women who give birth in Australia each year. While many new mothers experience the ‘baby blues’ in the first few days after giving birth, this usually only last 2-3 days. When symptoms last longer than this it may be a sign of developing post-partum depression.
According to HealthDirect.gov.au, common signs of postnatal depression include:
- have a very low mood
- feel inadequate and a failure as a mother
- have a sense of hopelessness about the future
- feel exhausted, empty, sad and teary
- feel guilty, ashamed or worthless
- feel anxious or panicky
- have trouble sleeping, sleep for too long or have nightmares
- worry excessively about their baby
- are scared of being alone or going out.
For help and support contact:
PANDA – 1300 726 306
beyondblue – 1300 224 636
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby – 1800 882 436
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