Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a theme that begins in the second chapter of part one, where Marie reveals that she feels an 'exhaustion that is metallic'. She avoids her parents because the only thing she feels she has to report is that she hates her life. Postpartum or postnatal depression is a clinical condition that can affect both women and men, occurring after a child is born. Symptoms of postpartum depression can include anxiety, irritability, low energy, sadness and even changes in eating and sleeping patterns. Causes of postpartum depression are complicated and not well understood by the medical community, but emotional impacts can include anxiety about caring for the new baby, a feeling that one is losing control over one’s life; sleep deprivation and a general feeling that there is a lack of support from one’s spouse. Many speculate that hormonal changes are...