Allen: living with postpartum anxiety
Allen describes his emotionally stressful and exhausting postpartum experience, which ultimately resulted in significant personal change.
Linda: her journey through perinatal mood and anxiety disorder
Linda’s PPD/A impacted all parts of her life, and contributed to the end of her marriage. She healed with help from her psychiatrist, as well as PPPSS’s weekly support group and telephone support. During her journey through postpartum, Linda learned how to take care of herself so she can take care of her son. She now lives her life with renewed joy.
Mariko and Kasimir: feeling isolated as an immigrant
After an anxious pregnancy, Mariko developed depression after her daughter’s birth. A recent immigrant from Japan, language difficulties and cultural differences contributed to her feelings of isolation. Her Canadian husband, Kasimir, supported her, but wasn’t really sure how to help. However, he did what was most important for Mariko: he listened. After a long time, Mariko reached out for help and began to heal. As a result of their journey through PPD/A, they learned a great deal about themselves, each other, and their relationship. They now feel stronger and wiser.
Mariko: different cultural approaches to PMADs
Mariko immigrated to Canada from Japan as an adult and married a Canadian. Her journey through depression and anxiety began during pregnancy. She hadn’t known about PPD/A, and felt she couldn’t reach out for help because of stigma surrounding mental health in her home country. Her healing began with help from her husband and PPPSS.
Maria: finding comfort in a Spanish support group
Maria discusses how finding a Spanish-language support group was a great support to her during early motherhood.
Maria: cultural differences and the lack of family support
Although Maria had been in Canada for over five years, when she became a mom she felt like she was a new immigrant all over again. Maria experienced postpartum anxiety and depression after the births of both of her children and found that the support of other immigrant moms and her own family was essential to her recovery.
Brianna: getting better
Brianna shares how her sister helped to support her recovery by helping Brianna to see the good in herself.
Linda: light at the end of the tunnel
Linda shares how it helped her to know that others have healed from PPD/A, and that it did get better for her too.
Robin: there are happy moments
Robin discusses how she captures the happy moments of her life so she can draw on them during the low days.
Maria and Pablo: self-care is a crucial part of recovery
Maria discusses how self-care is a necessity, not a luxury, for new parents. She also shares how her partner, Pablo, came to realize that time for self-care was a crucial part of what Maria needed to recover from PPD/A.
