'A sneaky monkey with a machete': Alanis Morissette on her postpartum depression
Describing her postpartum depression as "a sneaky monkey with a machete," singer Alanis Morissette is opening up about her battle almost two months after the birth of her third child.
The singer penned an essay for her personal website in which she revealed that for the third time, she's suffering from both postpartum depression and anxiety, "or, as I like to call it post partum [sic] activity. Or, also, part partum tar-drenched trenches."
Morissette explained how the condition has been "working its way through my psyche and body and days and thoughts and bloodwork levels."
"This culture is not set up to honor women properly after birth. i see it changing, which is so heartening … but the general way is bereft of the honoring and tenderness and attunement and village-ness that post partum deeply warrants," she wrote.
"The new mom, the new parent(s) is creating the foundation for the circumventing of so much of the pain and divisiveness that we see in the world. ... THIS is where the fabric of our culture, of our world, is crafted. on physical, emotional, neurobiological, chemical, spiritual, mental, existential, practical levels. wouldn’t it be cool if we treated all post partum moms and families with this awareness and honor?"
Morissette, 45, and her husband, musician Mario "Souleye" Treadway welcomed their third child, son Winter, on Aug. 8. Prior to giving birth, Morissette gave an interview to Self magazine in which she opened up about her first two struggles with postpartum depression. Because of her experiences, she said before she gave birth to Winter she asked her physician, midwife and several friends to keep a close eye on her and her mental health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, postpartum depression estimates vary by state, but some say it can impact 1 in 5 women. Symptoms are not the same for every woman, and Morissette told Self that hers manifests as a particular type of heaviness.
"I won’t remember typing this. and i am finally realizing that that is entirely ok," she wrote. "So much more to write, soon. i love you. i am here. with you. we’re not alone."
