PHOTOSAlanis Morissette Reveals She’s On Medication For 'Horrifying' Postpartum Thoughts
Oct. 22 2019, Published 4:39 p.m. ET
Alanis Morissette is battling postpartum depression for the third time after giving birth to her son Winter Mercy. The Canadian-American singer opened up about her “PPD-riddled-temporarily-adjusted-brain” on her blog in early October and spoke about how medication helped her cope during the October 22 episode of CBS This Morning.
Alanis, 45, admitted on her blog that she was not expecting to have postpartum depression again after having already gotten through it with her 8-year-old son Ever Imre and 3-year-old daughter Onyx Solace.
“This time around, it's less depression, it's more anxiety and a little more of the compulsive, obsessive thoughts,” she said on CBS This Morning.
The “Ironic” singer explained, “I mean, I see images that are horrifying, just a lot of times about safety about the people you love, your loved ones, your children. And then I just have to remind myself, ‘Oh no, this is just postpartum depression swooping in again. Stop.’”
“There is something about chronicling the experience in real time,” Alanis said about her choice to be open about her postpartum depression. “If the goal is a stigma-free perception of any mental illness or mental health conversation, understanding and giving the details of really looks like from the inside is important.”
Alanis revealed she experienced postpartum depression 16 months after her first child was born. “My survival strategy is to just push through and then I spoke with a professional who knew all about postpartum depression,” she said. “And I asked her, ‘Does this go away if I just white knuckle through it?’ She said, ‘No, it actually gets worse.’”
“So as soon as I heard that,” the “You Oughta Know” singer continued. “I went on medication right away.” She also copes using meditation, spending quality time with family and writing music.
Despite Alanis’ struggle with postpartum depression, the condition hasn't deterred her from having kids. “Because I'd experienced the other side of postpartum depression and having this relationship with my husband Souleye I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel,” she said. “I'd be willing to go through it again. I know that sounds a little insane but, you know, I'm willing to — present sacrifice for future gain. I've done it a million times.”
She echoed those sentiments in her blog post on October 6. “I have been here before. I know there is another side. And the other side is greater than my PPD-riddled-temporarily-adjusted-brain could have ever imagined: As a mom. As an artist. As a wife. As a friend. As a collaborator. As a leader. As a boss. As an activist,” She wrote.
Alanis added, “I saw how things got richer after I came through it the last two times. I have my eye on that prize again…even as I drag my a** through the molasses.”
