“Nobody would believe what an effort it is to do what little I am able.” -Charlotte Perkins Gilman 1892 NOBODY WOULD BELIEVE… Maybe it’s because nobody’s listening Or maybe it’s because women are not telling us how bad they feel Or maybe it’s because nobody’s asking the right questions Or maybe it’s because women […]
It has been reported that maternal suicide is the leading cause of death during pregnancy and the first year after birth. This is why the current shift in attention toward greater awareness to maternal mental health is urgently necessary and long overdue. We are just scratching the surface, and have far to go, but this momentum toward improved […]
In light of the recent focus on the inexcusable ways some healthcare providers respond to acute distress in postpartum mothers, let us do some teaching here. Please share and inform your local resources. **NOTE TO ALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS** Some postpartum women are afraid to tell you how they really feel. They are worried that you […]
This post was written anonymously by a mom in response to our #speakthesecret campaign. We thought her words would resonate with many of you: “I want to share my personal story of dealing with postpartum depression. The reason I’m doing this now is because in the last 3 months, 2 mothers from my home town […]
Pic credit: The PPSC magic bracelet. You know who you are. Wear it. Believe in it. The Holiday crunch is here. Shopping. Eating. Rushing. Spending. Talking. Family. Friends. Gathering. Too much? Not enough? Too crowded? Too lonely? Excited about it? Anxious about it? Dreading it? Overwhelmed by it? Ambivalent about it? If you have a […]
A CAUTIONARY NOTE TO THERAPISTS WHO THINK THEY CAN/SHOULD TREAT PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN IN DISTRESS WITHOUT SPECIALIZED TRAINING This past weekend, I was fortunate to speak at Postpartum Support International’s (PSI) annual conference, whose clear and inspirational mission is posted on their website: “The mission of Postpartum Support International is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of […]
Suicide is a scary word and if you work in the mental health field it is a word that conjures up panic in the hearts of dedicated professionals who are trying hard to support, enlighten, inform and protect individuals who might be tormented or tempted by the distorted lure of an end to their suffering. […]
You’ve recently had a baby. You are more than 3 weeks postpartum. You do not like the way you are feeling. You wonder if you are too anxious or too depressed. Your family, friends and healthcare provider have tried to reassure you, but you wonder if they really understand how bad you feel. You worry that […]
There is new reserach on the use of SSRIs during pregnancy that is unsettling. This study reports that the use of antidepressants during pregnancy may increase the risk of having a child with autism. Tons of folks are understandably reaching out to us for clarification and reassurance. I am writing this only to say that […]
Postpartum depression and anxiety are getting tons of attention in the media. From catastrophic accounts of misdiagnosed psychotic episodes, and an increase in state legislative action, to emerging research, as well as an explosion of passion-driven personal narratives from women who have recovered. All of this translates into greater awareness and activity in research, in clinical […]
Many thanks to Kathleen Kelley, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Oregon, for submitting this review of Tokens of Affection. I’m thrilled to get the message out to families who can use the support. Thank you, Kathleen, for supporting my work and for making such a difference with the work that you do at your […]
Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms After Stillbirth Informing Future Interventions Jennifer Huberty, Jenn A Leiferman, Katherine J Gold, Lacey Rowedder, Joanne Cacciatore, Darya Bonds McClain BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014;14(391) DISCUSSION “This was the first study to determine women’s preferences for and experiences with physical activity after stillbirth. As such, it offers information necessary for healthcare providers to […]
During a recent training class, I mentioned the name of colleague of mine, and soon realized that the therapists in the room were not familiar with her and her work. I was surprised since she had been a pioneer in the PPD community for so many years, but it dawned on me that some of […]
I am so thrilled to welcome Claire Petrillo as a senior writer for our PPSC Blog. I’ve known Claire a long time and she has always had her finger on the pulse of current issues that impact new moms and has expressed herself with both clarity and fire. She speaks her mind. And she often […]
