Rebecca bravely shares her experiences struggling with her mental health since childhood and how her experiences becoming a mother exacerbated her struggles. Rebecca openly shares about her very wanted pregnancy and how anxiety and tokophobia (clinical fear of childbirth) robbed her of any joy or excitement and how that impacted her birth decisions and immediate postpartum experiences. We chat about distinguishing anxiety, tokophobia and common fears of childbirth.
Rebecca shares about her birth and the acute psychological distress she experienced and how that impacted her postpartum which quickly took a scary turn. Rebecca was admitted into a Mothers and Baby Unit to treat her mental health struggles and she shares about how this completely transformed her mental health and her life. Rebecca talks candidly about her grief, self blame, the experience of anxiety, OCD and intense intrusive thoughts as well as her struggles accepting diagnoses and support including medication. We also chat about the importance in having mental health professionals with a special interest in perinatal mental health issues and the difference that made in Rebecca’s diagnosis and recovery.
There is so much to learn from those who have lived experience with these mental health conditions and I truly believe this episode can benefit other struggling mums simply by real talk and validation, but also for mental health professionals who work with mums.
You can find Rebecca at @perinatalstoriesaustralia on socials, her podcast Perinatal Stories Australia or website www.perinatalstoriesaustralia.com
If you or someone you know is experiencing signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, OCD, tokophobia or PTSD – please urgently seek professional help.
www.cope.org.au (they also have a perinatal psychologist directory)
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