Every now and then I get an email from a mom that reinforces why we need so much more awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, even among physicians.  I’ve reprinted Britta Brooks’ email here, with her permission: I reached out and reached out again and again, but was told that I do not have depression.  Because I took care of my household (a …

I heard from a mom this week who has postpartum depression and needs help finding child care services.  She has a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old and she’s desperate for sleep.  Her baby is not sleeping well, and she has no one to help her get some rest, as her husband works the …

I took 10 days off around Christmas and the New Year and what a refreshing time it was.  I really needed a break from work, and I had such a great time with my family.  Then, to top it all off, I come back from vacation and see your comments from my post below on the relaunch of Daily Hope .  And WOW! You are amazing. You see Daily Hope is relaunching on January…

Also, sometime the depressive syndrome runs in the family, so females belonging to this kind of families are far more inclined. A sudden tragedy in the loved ones also triggers the illness. Lack of assistance from the partner, …

Last week, Katherine received the following question from a Warrior Mom: What is considered a “suicidal” thought, ideation or gesture? I remember being asked by my physician if I was having suicidal thoughts and I honestly didn’t know if I should say yes or no. I wasn’t making plans in my head on killing myself when I was in the deepest of depression, but I was having fleeting weird thoughts about …

I’m so pleased to be able to share good news with you today about two wonderful people who work hard to help women with postpartum depression . First, there’s my friend Cathy Dore, MA, who has just opened up her own therapy practice in California to treat postpartum depression and other family behavioral health issues.  Cathy is a licensed marriage and family therapist…

November 19 is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. On this day survivors of suicide loss gather at hundreds of simultaneous healing conferences around the world every year to connect with others who have survived the tragedy of suicide loss and express and start to understand the powerful emotions we experience. For more information about a conference near you visit the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention  HERE. My story of suicide loss begins more than…

You’d think it would have happened sooner.  Seven years of advocacy and peer support for women with postpartum depression, and I hadn’t had to do it yet. This was the day. I am reluctant to get too involved in people’s lives.  I want to support everyone, but I also don’t want to butt in where I don’t belong.  I don’t …

Also, sometime the depressive syndrome takes place in the family, so the females belonging to these households are far more prone. A sudden tragedy in the household also causes the illness. The lack of support from the …

Also, sometime the depressive syndrome takes place in the family, so the females belonging to these households are far more prone. A sudden tragedy in the household also causes the illness. The lack of support from the …

Researchers, clinicians and postpartum depression advocates are ALWAYS trying to determine the causes and risk factors of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.  What we know for sure is that these illness are most likely caused by disruptions and challenges in a mom’s hormones and brain chemistry, sleep patterns, nutrition, and social support.   And we know, of course, that negative thinking patterns (perfectionist…

One of my very favorite television shows will be addressing postpartum depression this season as actress Monica Potter, who plays Kristina Braverman on the wonderful  NBC television show “Parenthood” , portrays a mom with PPD. Potter tells the Hollywood Reporter , “I met a woman who was going through severe postpartum depression and I brought it up to [the show's executive producer Jason Katims] and he let me take it to the …

Nearly ten years ago, in early 2002, I moved from Western Pennsylvania to Westchester County, NY.  Other than being cities in the Northeast, Pittsburgh and places like Mt. Kisco and Chappaqua, NY are about as foreign to one another as you can get.  Shovel the snow off the cars and people and things look a lot different …

Also, sometime the depressive syndrome runs in the family, so females belonging to such families are more prone. A sudden tragedy in the family also triggers the illness. Lack of support from the spouse, family and work …

I’ve spoken with quite a few moms recently who, through their experience with postpartum depression, found out they have bipolar disorder.  Most often they find out they are bipolar because the typical medication treatment for postpartum depression, antidepressants, either isn’t effective or actually makes things worse. I was reminded of this issue this …

Also, sometime the depressive syndrome runs in the family, so females belonging to such families are more prone. A sudden tragedy in the family also triggers the illness. Lack of support from the spouse, family and work …