As a clinician whose passion is working with Prenatal and Postpartum Mood Disorders (Postpartum Depression) I am always encouraging practitioners who come in to contact with mothers to use the Edinburgh Scale to evaluate how mothers are doing emotionally. In my field we know that mothers are hesitant to come out with how they are “really” feeling, even if they are asked. The Edinburgh helps cut through the shame and guilt and gives us a quick look into how a mother is really feeling.
A true story. Recently I held a group at my office. There were six women in attendance. The group was cohesive, women were sharing and supporting one another. They were all open to being screened for depression, so I administered the three minute Edinburgh scale.
The results were just as research indicates – one woman was suffering in silence tremendously. She had not spoken up within the group or to me on her own, but when given the inventory, she answered authentically.
She is now a client and states that she is very grateful for the work we are doing because she is feeling better. We KNOW that women feel better when they are given a supportive, safe, nurturing environment to talk about how they really feel. We know that normalizing their feelings, encouraging small changes and mothering the mother works.
Just wanted to share this success story with all of those who might be suffering – you are not alone AND you can feel better. There are complex dynamics that can contribute and you need not walk around feeling guilt and shame about how you truly feel.
