Depressed mum who 'took every pill in house' to numb pain hits out at 'perfection' portrayed on social media
23.04.2022 - 06:49
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A Scots mum who 'took every pill in the house' to numb the pain of severe depression has hit out at parents portraying 'perfection' on social media.
Billie Hendrie, 25, battled post-natal depression (PND) following the birth of her son, Marlowe Mulraney, in spring 2018 which manifested into severe ongoing depression.
Two years later, Billie was hospitalised after taking an overdose when she 'couldn't live with the pain anymore'.
Thankfully the young Airdrie mum survived and has now bravely opened up on her once 'secret 'battle' as she fought to keep up appearances because of the pressure of seeing other 'perfect' mums on social media.
Accounts assistant Billie told the Record: "After labour I was exhausted and scared which I thought was normal, plus I'd heard about the about the 'baby blues' but mine didn't go away.
"People asked if I was enjoying being a mum and while I loved Marlowe from the start, I hated motherhood.
"Parents on social media make out like their lives are perfect.
"Nobody shows the negative side or talks about it.
"I felt I couldn't tell anyone how I was feeling and the pressure got too much for me.
"I'd lock myself in the toilet and cry every day. It was like a secret battle that I didn't want to talk about."
Six months into motherhood Billie went to her GP who suggested anti-depressants, but she resisted medication and chose to write down her feelings and go to the gym in a bid to lift her mood.
When Scotland's first lockdown hit and gyms closed in March 2020, Billie's mental health quickly spiralled and the mum-of-one became so ill that began to convince herself Marlowe 'would be better off' without her.
She added: "By then, I didn't eat or sleep much. I couldn't get out of bed, or leave the house. I