Mothers on the Edge (Louis Theroux) - documentary

[kscin]

After spending a lovely evening having fun with my baby (9 months), watching 15 minutes of his favourite Netflix cartoon; laughing and speaking gibberish to each other, he had his milk and I took him to his cot.

I decided to indulge for one evening (it’s Friday after all!) and find a good documentary to watch. I got a recommendation about “Mothers on Edge” by Louis Theroux, and I was excited to watch it because after being through postnatal depression, I thought this would give me more insight into the illness and additionally, as I believe I am recovered (thanks to the assistance of friends, family, excellent doctors and therapists), I felt it necessary to watch.

What followed was not a shock but unexpected. Only 10 min 32 sec into a 58 min 52 sec documentary, I had the absolute need to switch it off. Truthfully, I felt uncomfortable in the first

I think this is what is meant by ‘triggering’ . You think you are over something/ have come to terms with something but maybe you’ve just buried it and some things bring those feelings back.
I have dc with autism and couldn’t watch the A word for example as it was too much of a reminder of real life.

I had quite bad PND after having my first baby; I spent several weeks in a mother and baby unit and was on medication for a long time after that. I have made the decision not to watch the documentary.

Taswama is absolutely right. You know you're fully over it, when something like the show doesn't illicit such a personal, emotive and powerful response. I couldn't stand talking about my postnatal anxiety - which mainly took the form of intrusive thoughts - when I wasn't fully over it, as I was too worried it would come back!
Hope you're ok