Postpartum Depression In The Yellow Wallpaper

Unbeknownst to many, new or pregnant mothers can develop a mental health condition known as postpartum depression. In “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the protagonist has a mild feeling of depression after childbirth, and her husband John, a physician, mistreats her and believes that a change of scenery and employing the rest of the cure would improve her mental health. Subsequently, her mental health deteriorated and she ripped off the yellow wallpaper in the house. During this decline in her mental state, she recorded her thoughts in a journal to keep her time occupied while under rest, displaying her thoughts and feelings. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins, “The Yellow Wallpaper”) There are misconceptions about how the protagonist fell mentally ill: either the …show more content…
Postpartum depression has a multitude of symptoms that can impact the physical or psychological state of the mother. According to the Mayo Clinic (2022), common symptoms include “reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions, trouble sleeping.” These symptoms will significantly impact new mothers' well-being and their children's care. In rare cases, postpartum depression may be accompanied by postpartum psychosis with symptoms including, as stated by Mayo Clinic (2022), “Feeling confused or lost and hallucinations”. As a result, leaving these symptoms alone can be extremely harmful, therefore “If the symptoms worsen or it becomes hard to complete everyday tasks” mothers are required to see doctors as soon as possible. Mayo Clinic, 2022. The regularity of postpartum depression and the level of severity it can achieve highlight the importance of early intervention to prevent it from worsening the mother’s well-being. Based on that information, one can conclude that the protagonist suffered from postpartum depression. Looking at the protagonist’s behavior, they accurately align with the symptoms mentioned

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