MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

Alanis Morissette Opens Up About Severe Postpartum Depression

"There are days I’m debilitated to the point where I can barely move" - by Korin M
  • 11 Sep 2017
Alanis Morissette Opens Up About Severe Postpartum Depression

Singer Alanis Morissette welcomed daughter Onyx into the world last year - but she only recently revealed that she was hit with severe postpartum depression only “seconds” after giving birth.

Unfortunately, she’s still struggling 14 months later.

“There are days I’m debilitated to the point where I can barely move,” Alanis told People. “As a kid, I imagined having children and being with an amazing partner. This is a whole other wrench I didn’t anticipate.”

Alanis said she first experienced PPD after her son, Ever, was born more than six years ago. She immediately had symptoms, including intense physical pain, insomnia, lethargy, and “horrifyingly scary” visions of her family being harmed. However, she wasn’t given a diagnosis until 16 months after Ever's birth.

alanis View Profile
10.3k likes - View Post on Instagram
there are absolutely no words that can speak to the joy and sweetness of these moments for me. xoxoxoxoxoxooxxo

Alanis says that she was prepared for her PPD to return and says that after she gave birth to Onyx it came back “seconds later.”

“It’s very isolating,” she said. “I’m used to being the Rock of Gibraltar, providing, protecting, and maneuvering. It had me question everything. I’ve known myself to be a really incredible decision-maker and a leader that people can rely on. [Now] I can barely decide what to eat for dinner.”

Alanis isn’t alone in her struggle: According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in nine women suffer from postpartum depression.

alanis View Profile
13k likes - View Post on Instagram
happy last day of #worldbreastfeedingweek 💕#attachmentparenting #skinonskin ❤️

While it may sound extreme that Alanis suffered from PPD immediately after having a baby, women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D., says the disorder can show up any time in the first 12 months after giving birth.

“There aren't many studies pinpointing the exact time of onset, but it is not uncommon for women to feel symptoms of PPD in the aftermath of the birth of their children,” she says.

Wider says the onset of PPD symptoms “varies wildly”—it could be any time from immediately after birth to several months later.

Symptoms often include overwhelming sadness, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, low self-esteem, irritability, anger, rage, and acute anxiety.

Alanis told People her PPD is “four times worse” this time, and she’s currently taking medication and homeopathic therapies, exercising every day, working with therapists, and making music. “I wrote many, many songs over the last three months,” she said. “It was a song a day. I had to start writing songs, or I was going to implode.”

alanis View Profile
21.1k likes - View Post on Instagram
thank god for all the sweetness in my life. thank god for this light, love, connection, passion, humanness, tenderness, community. love and deep care to all. xoxo #thankshealing

She also noted that her husband Mario “Souleye” Treadway has been supportive, but he “sometimes gets the dregs of my exhaustion at the end of the night," she said.

“He’s doing the best he can. I just basically say to him, ‘There’s an end to this, and I’m in the middle of it. I’m so sorry for not being able to be who you typically know me to be.’ ”

“There are people who are like, ‘Where’s the old Alanis?’ and I just think, ‘Well, she’s in here. She’s having a minute,’” she said. “I just know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and try not to beat myself up.”

alanis View Profile
24.6k likes - View Post on Instagram
#tbt touring through #thanku #supposedformerinfatuationjunkie #bloodsoultears #feelitall #catharsis #sweatingprayers #98/99

This article originally appeared on Women's Health.

RELATED: "What I Never Knew About Post-Natal Depression"

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Stay At Home Mum Depression Is Real, And Women Are Finally Talking About it

Stay At Home Mum Depression Is Real, And Women Are Finally Talking About it

A Second Baby Was Tragically Killed This Week. We Need To Talk About Postnatal Depression

A Second Baby Was Tragically Killed This Week. We Need To Talk About Postnatal Depression

Chrissy Teigen Shares A Little-Known Symptom Of Postpartum Depression

Chrissy Teigen Shares A Little-Known Symptom Of Postpartum Depression

Adele Supports Her Best Friend Who Suffered Postpartum Psychosis

Adele Supports Her Best Friend Who Suffered Postpartum Psychosis

{headline}

{headline}

Serena Williams's Post On 'Postpartum Emotions' Is What Every Mum Needs To See

Serena Williams's Post On 'Postpartum Emotions' Is What Every Mum Needs To See

Why Depression And Anxiety During Pregnancy Is On The Rise

Why Depression And Anxiety During Pregnancy Is On The Rise

Chrissy Tiegen Gets Real About IVF, Motherhood and Anxiety

Chrissy Tiegen Gets Real About IVF, Motherhood and Anxiety

{headline}

{headline}

This Is What Postpartum Depression Really Looks Like

This Is What Postpartum Depression Really Looks Like

We’re Already Burnt Out And 2022 Has Barely Even Started

We’re Already Burnt Out And 2022 Has Barely Even Started

Kirsten Dunst Reveals That She Checked Herself Into Rehab At Age 25 For Depression

Kirsten Dunst Reveals That She Checked Herself Into Rehab At Age 25 For Depression

Women Often Put Others Before Themselves—But There's A Cost

Women Often Put Others Before Themselves—But There's A Cost

Michelle Obama Opens Up About Her 'Low-Grade Depression' During Quarantine And How She's Managing It

Michelle Obama Opens Up About Her 'Low-Grade Depression' During Quarantine And How She's Managing It

Join The Andy Allo Fan Club

Join The Andy Allo Fan Club

JLo On Breaking The Internet, Being A Boss And ~That~ Body

JLo On Breaking The Internet, Being A Boss And ~That~ Body

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire