You Are Not Alone – Post-Partum Depression

There are so many uplifting and inspiring stories of hope from people who have used Recovery International's self-help tools and support groups to change their lives. These stories inspire and show that there are answers to and ways of changing your quality of life for the better.

Recovery Changed My Life
I was first treated by a psychiatrist when I was 19. Shy and nervous, preoccupied and fearful, I was called a spoiled brat and told to grow up. By the time I visited a psychiatrist a second time, I was married and had my first child.

I was overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy, fearfulness and suicidal thoughts. In fact, I asked myself “How can I care for a baby when I feel so insecure?” Hospitalization, shock treatments and professional analysis helped me through. When I had my second child, the same feelings hit me again, but I kept going.

On one occasion, when my two girls were in school and I was alone all day, my fearfulness, suicidal thoughts and feelings of inadequacy returned. My thoughts raced, “I can’t stand being alone. I hate myself. I’m going crazy.” A neighbor told me about Recovery, so I decided to learn more.

Like most people, I feared attending my first meeting, but those fears diminished when people there described how I felt. Relieved, I began to believe I could get well, and I attended meetings regularly. Gradually, my thoughts changed from hopeless to hopeful and I regained self-respect.

Today I am merely a “nervous person”—more confident and less fearful than previously.

Recovery International has changed my life. It’s taught me to change my beliefs from “I can’t” to “I’ll try.” – Joyce Oliver

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