Approximately 14.8 million American adults suffer from depression. That's 6.7 percent of the U.S. population ages 18 and older.
Depression is seen more in women; it is actually twice the rate than in men. This is due to postpartum mood changes, eating disorders, the loss of a loved one, ethnic background, financial stability and other health related issues such as infertility.
Depression in the infertility community is common.
In a previous post about MRKH, I briefly stated it can be very sad to know you can't conceive. Some can deal with infertility well, others aren't so lucky.
Some women who find out they're infertile drown themselves in depression. The desire to want a baby is very natural in the world, and to find out you can't conceive.. well, it brings a dark cloud of emotions over your head. Learning that you are infertile can cause a big negative wave in your everyday life. It will negatively affect your family, friends, sex life and daily activities. Depression makes everything appear black and white. You don't care about anything. You force yourself out of bed when you really just want to lay there and cry. You make the effort to hang out with friends when you really just hate your life. When family is there to comfort you, you push them away because they don't know what it feels like to be infertile.
Other reactions with depression are grief, anger, frustration, and low self-esteem.
I know this because for a small time after I was diagnosed, I closed off everyone in my life. I didn't want to go to high school, I didn't want to talk to my mom, to my grandmother, to my best friends. I didn't want to talk to anyone about it or about how I felt. I just felt like no one understood me.. when in reality there are thousands of women just like me. Joining an MRKH group helped me get through that rough patch in my life. I love and admire these women unconditionally.
I know it is very hard to seek help because you're embarrassed that your infertility has caused you to be depressed, but you need to remember that the first and most important step is admitting you need help. I will always be here to help you talk about infertility.
