Stay At Home Mom (SAHM) depression is taboo to talk about, but common. This depression shows up in moms who are doing continual parenting and household duties, experiencing isolation, and feeling as if they are closed in when it comes to having space to themselves. These moms also tend to feel as if things will fall apart if they are not “everything” to “everyone” in the family. Sticking to a schedule doesn’t help because anything unexpected can happen when you have little ones. It is exhausting. These moms often feel misunderstood and unseen. The false perception that they are playing with the kids all day or that life is easier because they aren’t working a 9-5 job feeds the desire to withdraw and not share the frustrations of the day. Experiencing mom guilt adds to these feelings of hopelessness as it feeds the lie that you are selfish if you are taking care of yourself.
These moms are more likely to report anger and sadness. They are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than mothers who are employed. Age is not a factor, it is the factors surrounding what the mother is experiencing that feed the depression. While being a mother is rewarding, it can also be the most difficult and life-changing role you have ever encountered. There is hope for you today.
Symptoms of Stay-at-Home Mom Depression
· Loss of energy and motivation can bring the lethargy of everything feeling hard. Do you feel like you are dragging to get through the day? Are you experiencing burnout?
· Change in appetite can look like an increase in emotional eating, particularly, the indulgence of sweet or salty snacks.
· Difficulty sleeping or needing more sleep is often hard to detect because moms are typically up with young children at night. This can refer to those moments where there are opportunities to rest but worry, sadness, or feeling overwhelmed intrude on your mind when trying to sleep.
· Feeling overwhelmed. Do you feel like it is difficult to cope? Are you feeling like anything you do is too much?
· Mom guilt creates a cycle where she feels guilty for taking care of herself even as her children are well taken care of. This can be further from the truth as studies show that moms who take care of themselves are more present and have more joy in caring for their children.
· Loss of identity. Before your children, you had a regular schedule and were pursuing dreams and goals. Now, you may be questioning how you will pursue those goals when you have young children.
These symptoms are not just about feeling sad for a moment. This is a sadness that lingers.
How Can a Mom Experiencing Depression Cope?
· Process what you are feeling. It is possible to love everything about being a mother while at the same time acknowledging the difficulties at the same time. Having these feelings don’t make you a bad mother. It makes you human.
· Have a regular morning routine. Your morning routine can be a flexible one, but still have one that requires brushing your teeth, getting dressed, and washing your face. Starting your day fresh can help you in having reset from the prior day.
· Build your tribe and discover other mom friends. Find mom friend groups in your community with similar interests as you. This will help to break down some of the isolation you may be feeling.
· Ask for help. Speaking with a counselor can help you to process what you are experiencing and better adjust to your new life of being a mom.
· Make yourself a priority. Finding and discovering balance is vital in your healing journey. Talking with someone can help with discovering how to get you back on your healing journey.
Taking the step to speak with a counselor can be life-changing. Call 443-860-6870 to schedule an appointment or use the calendar to set up a time to move forward in your healing journey today.
