When Ariane became a mother, it wasn’t just the sudden onset of delusions, hallucinations, and severe depression that haunted her early days of parenting. From body image triggers, the pervasive grip of perfectionism, the reluctance to seek help, and the fear of her son being forcibly removed, it was also Ariane’s complex history as a ballet dancer, case worker and registered psychologist that cast a long, dark shadow over her mental health in pregnancy and postpartum.
In this episode, I am joined by none other than Ariane Beeston, author of the newly released memoir Because I’m not Myself, You See, who so vulnerably revisits the ghosts of her past with me and who shares, with incredible insight, the realities of mental ill health as both a patient, former practitioner, and advocate.
This is part one of Ariane’s harrowing, albeit profound, story, that explores her formative years and early motherhood, up until the moment she realised she had to release the control she sought over her past and present in order to welcome recovery in the future.
Please note, this episode discusses suicidal ideation, and briefly mentions suicide and infanticide. Go gently.
GIVEAWAY Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Black Inc., I am giving away FIVE copies of Ariane Beeston's new book 'Because I'm Not Myself, You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back From the Brink'. Australian residents can enter the giveaway via my Instagram @perinatalstoriesaustralia anytime between now and 11:59PM Sunday 2nd June 2024 AEST. Winners will be drawn randomly on Monday 3rd June.
FOLLOW the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @perinatalstoriesaustralia for more maternal mental health stories, education, advocacy, and community.
PLEASE leave a review or rating on your favourite apps or consider buying me a coffee (well, preferably a tea!) :)
VISIT the website perinatalstoriesaustralia.com to share your story or to see more content from the podcast guests.
MADE WITH LOVE by Rebecca (host, founder, storyteller) x
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