“I can’t be depressed – I’m Black!”
I’ve heard a number of my African American male clients – mostly new dads – say some version of the statement in the title of this piece and it never really gets easier to hear. When you tease out the multiplicative contributions…
When Eating Disorders and Perinatal Mental Health Collide
She sat tucked into the corner of my office couch, eyes downcast, body rigid, hands tightly folded in her lap below her slightly swollen belly as the silence in the room began to bloom until it felt like a cloud full of rain right…
My experience with perinatal mood disorders (Anonymous)
A Survivor Story
(Anonymous)
Trigger warning: this story contains details of pregnancy/infant loss.
My experience with perinatal mood disorders is different than that of most parents. For one thing, I am a doctor, so I’ve seen birth up…
Maternal Mental Health Month with Caitlin
Tell us about Maternal Mental Health Month
Maternal Mental Health Month is more than just 30 days fully dedicated to raising awareness about perinatal mental health. It is an opportunity for PSI to make a worldwide impact…
EMDR in the Perinatal Period
Early in my career while working in community mental health, my supervisor often said, “it’s all trauma.” After a few years of experience, I recognized her wisdom and understood more clearly that my clients’ struggles did…
Before, During and after Birth: Representation Matters
Hello, beautiful humans. My name is JaNina, and I am a trained full-spectrum doula. I am currently supporting my community through my own business DoulaMeWright, a local doula agency, Music City Doula, and through a program called Doulas…
PMADs Don’t Discriminate and Neither Should We
PMADs Don’t Discriminate and Neither Should We
by Hajara KuttyWithin the past six months, ten children lost their lives at the hands of postpartum
mothers. Erin Merdy, Dimone Fleming, Paulesha Green-Pulliam and Lindsay Clancy
are all…
Q&A: Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) January, 2023
You may have heard the term Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) in the news recently. With the news, there are times that we can hear things that are scary, or that we don’t understand, or wonder “could that be me.” PSI would like to take…
How to use creativity to cope with PMADs without it taking a lot of your time or energy
As a mother with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD), you've likely consumed information about how to cope. You've probably read that rest, healthy food, water, exercise, social support and self-care are valuable and overusing…
Losing Myself – Surviving PPD Again (A Poem)
“Having a baby is a psychological revolution that changes our relation to almost everything and everyone.” -Esther Perel Only once in my life have I experienced the type of suffering that I did after my daughter’s…
Social Media & Mom Guilt
How many times have you scrolled on your phone looking at your friend’s perfect picture with perfect hair and makeup? How many times have you felt exasperated that you don’t have that beautiful family picture with your kids? You know…
The Role of Integrative Medicine in PMADs: What is the Evidence?
You are not alone if you admit to being confused by the maddening amount of health advice and opinions aimed at those who are trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum. There are literally not enough hours in the day to accomplish all…
Holding Space for the Joy and Pain in Adoption
November is National Adoption Month. As we enter the month of November, I find it very important to acknowledge the diverse and complex experiences of individuals who are in the adoption community. Whether they are people who were adopted,…
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Stigma & Challenges
Rosie’s Story: A Struggle with Postpartum OCD“Rosie* needs help. Something is wrong and I need to help her.” These are the first words I hear as I pick up the phone. Rosie’s husband is frantic and does not know what…
Maternal Suicide: Reducing the Stigma
Maternal Suicide Maternal suicide. It’s something we don’t discuss enough, despite the stark reality of the problem. Although society is getting better at talking about mental health and normalizing mental illness, we shy away when…