The Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois

Postpartum Depression and Psychosis are treatable! Find help and support at the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois. (http://www.ppdil.org/ppdhelp.htm). The Alliance offers resources and events that occur through out the area. Most importantly they offer an open Help Line. If you believe you may be suffering from PPD or you wonder if someone you know is call the helpline. They will talk with you and help you to find the answers that you need. Call 847-205-4455.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) has been described as feelings of anxiety (fear, worry, panic) or depression (sadness, loss of interest, numbness, the wish to die). These feelings may be experienced by some mothers following the birth of their baby. Often these feelings are severe enough to get in the way of the mother's day to day functioning and can interfere with her ability to bond with or care for her baby. PPD is not the mothers fault.

Rarely, a mother might lose touch with reality and become a danger to herself and/or her baby. This is referred to as Postpartum Psychosis. Both conditions are treatable and there is help for you no matter where you live in Illinois.

When I visited the Alliance's web site I discovered that they were located at 666 Dundee Rd. #502 Northbrook, IL 60062, but they have a list of therapists, support groups and other resources that can help mothers all over Illinois.

One of the events listed on their site is an open, toll free phone call support group. Sponsored by Postpartum Support International. You call an 800 number at either 2 pm or 8 pm central time to talk with an expert. There is no need to pre-register or give your name. Go to www.postpartum.net for information, or call PSI's main office at 1-800-944-4773 for further information. They include the reminder: "Take the first step, or the next step. Call us and remember: You are not alone, you are not to blame and with help, you WILL be well."

The Alliance lists and is constantly updating resources for anyone in Illinois. Their mission is The Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance's (PPD IL) mission is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of maternal mental health issues throughout the state of Illinois. And they offer to connect you with:

· PPD Support Groups and Services,

· PPD_ASSESSMENT_&_TREATMENT_PROGRAMS,

· Psychotherapists and Psychiatrists for PPD (Postpartum Depression),

The Alliance also provides a place for doctors, therapists and others to find resources or to list their practices.

This is definitely the first stop anyone should make in trying to understand their own or another's feelings and actions after giving birth. The Alliance is supportive and caring. They will offer help or resources without judgment.