Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs in women after they give birth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 15% of women suffer from this condition, but it is treatable. Symptoms vary, but can include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, crying episodes, and irritability.
Singer and star of 'The Little Mermaid' (2023) Halle Bailey quietly welcomed her first child in 2023 with boyfriend DDG. She recently posted on social media about how much she adores her "perfect" son Halo, and how DDG is the "most amazing daddy in the world." But she also shared that she has been dealing with terrible depression and anxiety since the birth of their son. "I have severe, severe postpartum [depression], and I don't know if any new moms can relate, but it's to the point where it's really bad, and it's hard for me to be separated from my baby for more than 30 minutes at a time before I start to kind of freak out."
"Before I had a child and I would hear people talk about postpartum, it would kind of just go in one ear and out the other. I didn't realize how serious of a thing it actually was," Bailey shared. "Now going through it, it almost feels like you're swimming in this ocean that's like the biggest waves you've ever felt and you're trying not to drown. And you're trying to come up for air." Bailey revealed that she decided to speak out after feeling triggered by comments on social media about her and her new family, and reminded followers that even celebrities who look like they have it all together might be struggling.
Take a look at the gallery to hear other celebrity experiences of the condition.