244: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety's Impact and Healing Journey

Today’s story is from a mom who experienced postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and rage. Many of us have been through one or more of these symptoms, and it’s especially hard for mental health providers to acknowledge these conditions. Postpartum depression and anxiety can take you by surprise, even if you know what to look for in the symptoms. Join us to hear more from Rosalinda in today’s episode. Rosalinda Heider is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from West Texas A&M University in 2006 and Master’s degree from the Baylor University School of Social Work in 2008. She has spent the last 12 years working as a mental health and suicide prevention social worker for the Department of Veteran Affairs. In her motherhood experience, she became aware of the lack of support for new mothers who are struggling with mental health. After starting a postpartum support group for mothers in her community in 2017, she also began a virtual postpartum support group within the VA for female veterans. Rosalinda joins us to share her story and her message to those with postpartum struggles, that they can come out stronger than ever with the right type of support and treatment.  Show Highlights: An overview of Rosalinda’s story as a social worker and her first pregnancy with her daughter How the pregnancy and birth went well but there were a few feeding issues with her newborn How going dairy-free and chiropractic care helped the feeding/colic situation How Rosalinda began being tearful and emotional and thought it was normal, never realizing she was experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety Why Rosalinda saw her primary care doctor for a postpartum depression screening–and cried all the way through it Why a postpartum depression diagnosis brought a sense of relief to Rosalinda and a realization of how common her feelings are How she felt alone in her diagnosis until she found support in talking to other moms Why Rosalinda didn’t enjoy motherhood until her daughter was about 5-6 months old How therapy and medications helped with the depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts How a simple suggestion from her therapist helped Rosalinda get better sleep and combat anxiety Why Rosalinda started a support group for moms in 2017 Why it’s therapeutic just to share your story and have it validated by others–knowing you are not alone in your experience How it took a couple of years for Rosalinda to feel normal again because she felt angry and frustrated so much of the time–and struggled to hold her marriage together How Rosalinda realized and felt shame over all the times she blamed her husband for their problems Why social media doesn’t give a true picture of what people are experiencing—and can make some moms feel even more isolated A glimpse into Rosalinda’s support group for moms Resources: Connect with Rosalinda: Postpartum Support of the Texas Panhandle  Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!