122: Postpartum Depression, PTSD Personal Story

If you know something is wrong, wouldn’t you want your doctor to listen? How does it feel to advocate for yourself with no success? My guest shares her story of dealing with postpartum depression for years while she tried to advocate for herself. Listen in to see how she finally found healing, and why she shares her story with honesty and openness. Jessica Mirisis lives in Massachusetts and is the mother of three girls, ages 2, 6, and her stepdaughter, age 12. Jessica works as an RN and helps her husband run their two businesses. Jessica battled several issues with maternal mental health for years, not getting the help she needed.    Show Highlights:   In May 2012, her first daughter was born, about the time she graduated from nursing school, got married, and bought a house With her pregnancy, she was sick all the time Her labor was slow and long, the baby came four days early, and she had low iron after the birth Her breastfeeding struggles for 6 weeks and then switching to formula How her baby didn’t sleep well and woke up every 3 hours to eat Her husband tried to tell her doctor that something was “off” How Jessica continued to struggle with motherhood and going back to work Her frustration and anger that continued for almost 2 years Again, she tried to tell her doctor that something was wrong, that she wasn’t sleeping, and that she was angry and frustrated----but the doctor discounted her feelings Why Jessica saw a psychiatrist and therapist on her own With her 2nd pregnancy, the anxiety increased and the constant sickness returned Why she had a scheduled C-section to avoid another long, hard delivery When her daughter was born, her in-laws came for an extended visit and Jessica still felt the anger and frustration She started Zoloft, but wasn’t getting any better an continued to go downhill The wine rack incident that was the last straw Why she switched to another psychiatrist Another episode that scared her Jessica’s hard time functioning as a mom, with suicidal thoughts and desires to run away How the psychiatrist suggested a partial hospitalization that helped immensely The group sessions, where people actually listened and helped her Jessica’s youngest daughter was almost 2 years old before she started to feel better The diagnoses: generalized anxiety, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and panic Jessica’s new “8 pm rule” and how it helps her every day How journaling has helped her Why she finally feels ready to return to work as a nurse and begin helping others again What Jessica wants others to know about postpartum depression: “Motherhood is not all rainbows and butterflies. Take the advice of others, but make your own decisions.” Her advice to others who may be going through postpartum depression: “You may not even realize what’s going on. Talk to someone who can help and keep going.” Jessica’s rules she lives by now in her recovery How postpartum depression can affect the entire family---not just the mom     Resources:   Find Jessica Leigh Mirisis on Facebook