ANXIETYSS – Page 4

What PSI Means to Me as an OB/GYN

By Dr. Jessica Vernon, MD, PMH-C, PSI Board Member My “aha moment” came after my own struggle with postpartum anxiety, OCD, and depression. I didn’t even realize what I was going through until my daughter was almost two – I had very little training during residency and was shocked when I started learning more about

Beyond Bubble Baths and Massages: How To Practice Holistic Self-Care

By Renada Bey I became a mom for the first time in a way I didn’t and couldn’t foresee. I was thrown into the deep end of appointments, therapies, and responsibilities that left no time to fully or truly process what was happening to me. I knew three months before my son was born that

Maternal Mental Health Month 2025

Although Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs) affect an estimated 800,000 new parents each year, the topic of mental health can be a mystery to many. PSI wants to change the story by sharing YOUR story and breaking the silence about PMH Disorders. May is Maternal Mental Health Month, and this year, we invite you to

Las mamás de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN): las pacientes invisibles

Por: Andrea Hernández, Fisioterapeuta Neonatal, Pediátrica y de Atención Temprana, Doula, Educadora Perinatal Imagina caminar por el pasillo del hospital, con el dolor sordo de tu cesárea recorriéndote el vientre. Cada paso duele —las grapas en la incisión arden, el cuerpo pesa como plomo—, pero sigues avanzando. Llegas a la puerta de la UCIN y,

What you need to know – The Better Menopause

Menopause is a natural transition—but let’s be honest, it doesn’t always feel natural. If you’re experiencing fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, brain fog, or sleep issues, you’re not alone. While hormone changes often take the blame, there’s another overlooked culprit: cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone. What many women don’t realise is how closely cortisol is

Depression in Pregnancy: Why is it So Important to Treat?

By Riddhi Laijawala As a researcher specialising in perinatal psychiatry, my work focuses on two key aspects of this period: pregnancy, and postpartum. I started off my career working on a randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of a community singing intervention (called SHAPER PND) on symptoms of postnatal depression. Now, I am part of

Smart Patients Postpartum Community: A Safe, Supportive Place to Connect

By Samantha Reaves, MA, PMH-C The Smart Patients online platform hosts a free postpartum forum where users can share, connect, and learn from peers in a safe and supportive environment, moderated by Postpartum Support International (PSI) staff. “Smart Patients was an invaluable resource for me during my own recovery journey, something that I could come

The Connection You Never Knew You Needed: Finding a Supportive Community

By Jennifer Basile Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) bond survivors in the club to which they never wanted to belong – but the empathy, understanding, and support that can only come from others who have also suffered are unexpected benefits. The Club I Never Wanted To Be In When my friend told me I

Estamos escribiendo un nuevo capítulo en la historia sobre la salud mental materna

Por: María Jimena Paz, Médica de familia, IBCLC Entender la salud mental materna: un paso hacia el cambio El hospital donde me formé en los últimos años de la carrera de medicina era hospital blanco, blanquísimo, limpio, de grandes ventanales que daban a un jardín interno. Un hospital con habitaciones individuales, con profesionales de bata

Samantha Sullivan, Licensed Therapist, MSW, LICSW

Licensed Therapist, MSW, LICSW About I have OCD but have not been symptomatic for several years. I hope to help others achieve that same accomplishment. As your therapist, I want to learn about you and your obsessions and compulsions. We will start slow. There’s no pressure to get things right the first time; we can