Gwyneth Paltrow talks about postpartum depression after Moses' birth

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, 35, admits in the May 2008 issue of Vogue that after the birth of son Moses, 2, she suffered from postpartum depression.

You know, I had postnatal depression after [my second child] Moses. I didn’t know I had it until after it was over. I just didn’t know what was wrong with me…I felt really out of my body. I felt really disconnected. I felt really down; I felt pessimistic.

Gwyneth and husband Chris Martin, 31, also have daughter Apple Blythe Alison, 4 next month.

Source: Vogue Magazine via JustJared

Comments

Hi there–
Guess I’m sort of confused….how can one realize they HAD post-partum depression after it’s over? I had it immediately after the birth of my daughter and ended up needing therapy and medication. It helped me SO MUCH and brought me out of the deep, dark fog I was in.
How can anyone not realize they have it, until it’s over? I mean, can it really just go away on it’s own? This may sound dumb and I don’t mean to sound that way, but I truly don’t understand this. If anyone can help me to understand this, please help! I would appreciate it.
In all honesty if I hadn’t have gotten help for mine, I don’t know how in the world I could’ve handled things.

- Jennifer on April 16th, 2008

OMG that’s so awful. i’m glad that she got through it alright.

- Philippa on April 16th, 2008

I think PPD can have varying degrees of intensity. Some women get the “baby blues” which never develops into a full blown post partum depression, some women have intensely painful and debilitating depression which affects every aspect of her life including being able to bond with her child. I think I remember Brooke Shields saying that it was obvious to her husband, but not to herself.

Maybe what Gwyneth had was more of the hormone related “baby blues” variety?

- chatty cricket on April 16th, 2008

Jennifer,

I am assuming that she only had a mild form, and not a severe form that required medication/ outside help. I suffered from a mild form after the birth of both of my children. With the first, I just thought that I was reacting from a lack of sleep. After a few months, I started to get better. I realized that I had been suffering from a mild for of PPD after talking to my doctor. I suffered the same symptoms after the birth of my second child. I discussed this with my doctor, who assured me that I was not in need of medication or outside help, as long as I did not develop any more severe symptoms. My husband and I both stayed very aware of what I was going through. He would “force” me to leave the house and get outside to keep my mind off of what was going on in my head at the time.

Hope this helps.

- Dana on April 16th, 2008

is it just me or does that cover look a little too photoshopped….?

- Kim on April 16th, 2008

I have never had a child so can’t comment first hand, but a very close friend has.

To me, this doesn’t sound like “full blown” postpartum depression- just a mild case. Full blown PPD takes over your whole life, you cant function on a day-to-day basis, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I have also read it can lead to terrible thoughts (by memory this was in Brooke Shields book, when she wanted to literally jump out the window at her worst stage?)

It’s really scary that it can strike anyone. I guess the key is to be able to recognise you need help, and to have people close by to help you through it.

- iluvallbabies on April 16th, 2008

Oh my gosh, I shouldnt have used the word “push” straight after talking about jumping out of a window. Sorry I only just thought of this- maybe you could edit and just take “and give you the “push” you may need.” off my comment?

Thanks

- iluvallbabies on April 16th, 2008

There are definitely degrees of PPD (or PND as we call it here in the UK). A cousin of mine had such a severe case that she had to be sent to a mother & baby unit within a psychiatric unit for her own safety with her first baby. I also had PPD but in a milder form that was totally treatable by taking tablets for a while. I think it’s really good for celebs to be open about suffering from PPD, it helps to show that it can, and does, happen to anyone!

- emma on April 17th, 2008

Yes I understand this. After my second child was born I had mild PND. It was only when I came through it and began to feel ‘normal’ again that I could realise just how down and unlike myself I had been.

- Bel on April 17th, 2008