Tori Block while scrolling through her old photos would stop and take a long look at this one. It would bring her memories of difficult time period post pregnancy. In the photo, she sits breastfeeding her newborn while having an emotional breakdown. Block shared the picture on Instagram explaining how she has come a long way in her battle with postpartum depression. Block regularly posts pictures of her baby along with thoughts on motherhood and women empowerment. However, it is this picture Block that has brought pictures of postpartum depression. In the post, she writes, "This is me, at the peak of my postpartum depression."

She adds, "Looking back at this photo I remember perfectly the pain I felt, the dread of waking up every day, the physical pain that engulfed me from thoughts in my brain. I had never known consuming, mind-altering emotion such as this that flooded every fiber of my being, making its way through my veins like a plague. This is what postpartum depression looks like, or at least what it did for me."

Here is her post:

This is a picture I most likely will not keep up for very long. This is me, at the peak of my postpartum depression. I asked Shiloh to take a picture of me, so I could remember how far I’d come, if I ever came out of it. I was lower than low, I wasn’t even myself. Looking back at this photo I remember perfectly the pain I felt, the dread in waking up everyday, the physical pain that engulfed me from thoughts in my brain. I had never known consuming, mind altering emotion such as this that flooded every fiber of my being, making its way through my veins like a plague. This is what postpartum depression looks like, or at least what it did for me. I didn’t want to leave this life, but it seemed like the only way that would rid me of the pain I was in. I didn’t ask for it, it wasn’t welcome. But there it was, and I kicked its fucking ass and beat it to the ground before I let it consume me, or much worse, take my life. #thisisppd . . . . #ppd #postpartumdepression #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #overcomingppd #mentalhealthsupport #communityovercompetition #stopcensoringmotherhood #motherhoodunited #motherhoodrising #motherhood #takebackpostpartum #momblogger #empoweredbirthproject #mindfulparenting #mindfulmama #consciousmotherhood #motherhood #tribedemama #birthofamama

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Block shared her emotional journey with the world to break down the societal walls around parents' mental health. She now aims to encourage mothers to speak about their experiences and empower each other to cope with it.

What is Postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a type of mood disaster associated with childbirth which can affect both sexes. Many new moms also experience "postpartum baby blues" after childbirth which includes mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues generally begin within the first two to three days after delivery and can last for up to two weeks. While pospartum depression can be severe and have a long-lasting effect.

What are the symptoms?

  • Severe anxiety and panic attacks

  • Severe mood swings or a depressed mood

  • Difficulty bonding with the baby

  • Inability to sleep or excessive sleeping

  • Reduces interest in normal activities

  • Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy

    Drastic physical changes that drop estrogen and progesterone in the body contribute to postpartum depression. Being sleep deprived makes one anxious and can have struggle in handling even minor things.

    How does it affect new mothers and their relationship with the child?

The emotional bond between a mother and child lessen due to the negative experience the mother faced post delivering the baby. Postnatal depression can have a great impact on the relationship between the mother and child. According to researchers, it can also lead to adult life and even have a negative impact on the relationship between grandmothers and grandchildren.

Will it have an impact on the child?

According to researchers, postnatal depression in mothers can also impact children's emotional, cognitive and physical development. According to research quoted by IANS, women who had postnatal depression reported lower relationship quality with their kids and also those children who are now adults.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 22, 2018 05:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).