Adventures With Postpartum Depression

It's Maternal Mental Health Week 2021! Maternal mental health is a cause near and dear to my heart. When I talk and write about maternal mental health, I end up focusing on postpartum depression. That's an important subject that needs attention, but maternal mental health does not end with the postpartum period. We deserve excellent mental health our entire lives, not just when we have a little baby at home.  In other news, between May 5 and May 9, 2021, my memoir Adventures With Postpartum Depression is free on Amazon. Happy downloading!  Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. The music is "Carpe Diem" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. 

This week, I wanted to drop in and say, "Hello!" because the e-book of my memoir, Adventures With Postpartum Depression, is free now, December 8-12, on Amazon. It's my early Christmas gift for all the mamas struggling right now. And while I was saying hello, I thought I would give a pep talk for all the postpartum mamas because sometimes, you just need someone to tell you, "You can do this. Yeah, this is tough. But I believe in you." Because seriously, mamas, I do believe in you and I know how tough newborns are - and in 2020, sweet mercy, there's a whole extra dimension to the toughness. Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. My memoir is available on Amazon. You can also follow me on IG @Courtney.Novak. Questions? Comments? Email CourtneyHenningNovak@gmail.com. I love you and please, please, please remember: You are not alone.

This episode is Episode 17 from my new podcast, Adventures With My Forties. But the things I had to say for that show are just as relevant - possibly more! - for mamas with a maternal mood disorder. I talk about the upcoming 2020 holidays. Spoiler alert: the holidays will be a bit different this year because hello, #pandemic. I am trying my best to lower/change my expectations so my family can still enjoy this time of year. I talk about the mindset I am trying to embrace so I do not drive myself crazy. (Or at least, crazier than usual.) Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. While you are there, sign up for my newsletter! You can also follow me on IG @Courtney.Novak. The music is "Carpe Diem" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

This week, I am sharing Episode 10 from my new podcast, Adventures with My Forties, because I think it is also helpful for any parent. When I had PPD, my recovery focused on managing my worst symptoms like insomnia, anxiety and OCD rituals. But I was also struggling to find my footing as a new parent. In this episode, I talk about the "Jedi mind tricks" that help me thrive as a parent, before and now during the pandemic. Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. The music is "Carpe Diem" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

I started a new podcast called Adventures With My Forties. It is now available on iTunes and the usual places for podcasts. For that show, I did an episode about my anxiety during the pandemic. (Spoiler alert: I'm back on Zoloft.) I am sharing that episode here because anxiety is often a big part of postpartum depression. Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. The music is "Carpe Diem" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Happy Mother's Day 2020! If you are listening to this episode during the week it airs, the Kindle version of my memoir Adventures With Postpartum Depression is FREE from Sunday, May 10 to Thursday, May 14, 2020. This is my Mother's Day gift to you! (Flowers would be tough.) The book is also now part of the Kindle Unlimited universe. And of course, it is always available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book. This week, I talk about motherhood during the Covid-19 pandemic and how sheltering-at-home has prompted me to take a closer look at my PPD experiences and beliefs about motherhood. Show notes will be available on my website CourtneyHenningNovak.com. I also announce new podcast episodes on IG @Courtney.Novak. Thank you for listening!

This is episode 81, formerly episode 8, featuring an interview with Alexia Johnstone. This was actually the first interview I ever did for the show! Unfortunately, some earlier episodes dropped off the feed due to storage issues, but I still had the original file. Hooray! I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed getting to talk to Alexia about her adventures with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, pregnancy depression and postpartum OCD. Thank you, Alexia, for being my first ever guest! The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. My old email address and website broke (sigh), but you can email me now at PPDadventures@gmail.com. My website is CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thank you for listening.

Hi, everyone! I retired the show a year and a half ago but felt compelled to post a special episode during the Covid-19 crisis. I am currently sheltering at home with my husband Nathan, daughter Pippa (7 now!) and son Julian (4 years old). I wish I had some special advice for parents with newborns and babies during the pandemic, but mainly, I just want you to know that I see you, I see your extra stress, and I love you. My old website died, so I am writing now at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. You can also follow me on IG @CourtneyNovak and email me at PPDadventures@gmail.com. (Sorry, I can't access the old email either! #techfails.) Show intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. I know many of you are feeling extra isolated during the pandemic, but you are not alone and with help and support, you can and will make a full recovery.

This week, I give an update on the past couple months of my life and the changes I have been making as I enter a new phase of my life. I have fully recovered and healed from postpartum depression, and my intuition told me that it was time to cease my involvement with the peer-to-peer postpartum support group that I started. That was tough. And then, my intuition told me it was time to stop producing new episodes for this podcast. That was an even more difficult decision to embrace. But here I am, finally posting what I believe is the last episode for this show. New listeners: the old episodes are not going anywhere! The interviews and stories are just as relevant and authentic as they were when they were first recorded. Old listeners: follow my latest adventures on IG @Courtney.Novak. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. Thank you for listening. It has been an honor to do this work. I know that sharing my story and the stories of other women was a critical part of my recovery.

This week, Emily Souder shares her personal and professional stories on the show. Emily is the mother of two littles, ages one and three, and she shares her personal postpartum adventures, including a traumatic birth experience. She is also a licensed clinical social worker answering the call to work with mothers during their transition to motherhood. We also talk about her book, Birth Story Brave, which is a resource to help you writer your personal birth story. Her latest book, Birth Story Held, is a guide for doctors, midwives and doulas who need to process their experiences with their clients. I loved talking to Emily and I'm so excited to share her interview on the show today. This will be the final interview of the 2018 season (there will be one more episode to finish up the year) but if you would like to be interviewed for the 2019 season, please email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks, Emily, for coming on the show!

This week, Brandon shares his story of what it is like to support his wife Tyra during her second round of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. If you haven't listened to it already, Tyra shared her story in Episode 74. Thank you, Brandon, for your insights. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. (There's just a few more weeks left of the 2018 season, but I'm still taking names for the 2019 season.) The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a wonderful week.

Hello, Adventurers! Pippa started kindergarten yesterday, so today, I'm thinking about my goals for the 2018-2019 school year. I'm also trying to figure out how involved I want to be at my kids' schools and how much time I want to keep for myself and my self-care. As I mentioned during the episode, I've been blogging almost every day. Blog posts related to maternal mental health are at PPDadventures.com. Everything else is at my new website, CourtneyHenningNovak.com. That's my little new world to figure out my interests and passions as I navigate motherhood. Next week, we are back with an interview - Tyra's husband Brandon shares his experiences as the dad. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a great week.

This week, I talk with Dyane Harwood, author of the memoir Birth of a New Brain: Healing from Postpartum Bipolar Disorder. Dyane's memoir is amazing, and I keep thinking about all the issues she discusses, from the financial constraints of recovery to the difficulty of finding the right medication (and psychiatrist!) and so much more. This is a memoir about bipolar disorder, but I think it will inspire any mother who has suffered from a mood disorder. Thanks, Dyane, for coming on the show and writing such a beautiful book! Show notes will be available on PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a lovely week. p.s. Go buy Dyane's book and read it asap! It's just too wonderful to miss!

This week, Tyra Fainstad shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety. Tyra suffered from PPD and anxiety after the birth of her daughter who is now 2 years old. When she got pregnant with her son, she did everything she could to prepare for and prevent a second round of PPD. When her son was born a few months ago, things seemed to be going well. With her daughter, sleep and breastfeeding had been big triggers for Tyra's anxiety, but for the first month postpartum with her son, these were not issues. But when her son was about six weeks old, he developed a minor health issue that triggered her old anxiety. Tyra is now in the throes of a second round of PPD and PPA. As a physician, she knows she should be taking Zoloft; but as a woman with PPD and PPA, she is struggling to do the things that she rationally knows will help her get better. Thank you, Tyra, so much for sharing your experiences with maternal mental illness while you are still in the worst days of it. I know your story will help countless women in the darkness as well as their loved ones who can get frustrated when they don't know how to help. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, Rita shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety. Rita had a history of depression before she got pregnant. She felt anxious during her entire pregnancy. After her son was born, postpartum depression hit her immediately. Since watching the documentary When the Bough Breaks, she has wanted to help others moms with a maternal mood disorder. Thank you, Rita, for sharing your story on the show! Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a great week.

For the next couple of weeks, I am sharing the audio version of my memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression. I don't have the time or resources to put together a fancy-schmancy formal audio version (yet!) so instead, I'm sharing it on the podcast. In this installment, I read Chapter 13: The Great Escape and Chapter 14: The Eeyore Ward. These chapters describe more of my experiences in the psych ward and include my turning point, when I started to feel like myself again. Then I read Chapter 15: Breastfeeding Blues, which describes my return to "regular" life and my decision to end breastfeeding. I hope to get this all done and shared by the end of June. If you can't wait to hear the rest of the book, head over to PPDadventures.com for your free copy of the ebook. Or head over to Amazon to get your ebook or paperback today to support my work. Thanks for listening!

For the next couple of weeks, I am sharing the audio version of my memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression. I don't have the time or resources to put together a fancy-schmancy formal audio version (yet!) so instead, I'm sharing it on the podcast. In this installment, I read Chapter 10: Commitment Issues (which describes my admission to the hospital), Chapter 11: Welcome to the B Ward (which describes the beginning of my stay at the hospital) and Chapter 12: Am I Wearing A Sweatshirt? (which discusses the difficulties of trying to recover from postpartum depression while being thrown in with the general population of a psych ward). I hope to get this all done and shared by the end of June 2018. If you can't wait to hear the rest of the book, head over to PPDadventures.com for your free copy of the ebook. Or head over to Amazon to get your ebook or paperback today to support my work. Thanks for listening!

For the next couple of weeks, I am sharing the audio version of my memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression. I don't have the time or resources to put together a fancy-schmancy formal audio version (yet!) so instead, I'm sharing it on the podcast. In this installment, I read Chapter 8: Insomnia and Chapter 9: My Breaking Point. By the end of Chapter 9, I have told my obstetrician about my symptoms and agreed to voluntarily admit myself to the hospital for psychiatric care. I hope to get this all done and shared by the end of June. If you can't wait to hear the rest of the book, head over to PPDadventures.com for your free copy of the ebook. Or head over to Amazon to get your ebook or paperback today to support my work. Thanks for listening!

For the next couple of weeks, I am sharing the audio version of my memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression. I don't have the time or resources to put together a fancy-schmancy formal audio version (yet!) so instead, I'm sharing it on the podcast. In this installment, I read Chapter 6: The First Six Weeks (which describes my descent in depression) and Chapter 7: Checking, Checking, Checking (which describes the development of my OCD rituals). I hope to get this all done and shared by the end of June. If you can't wait to hear the rest of the book, head over to PPDadventures.com for your free copy of the ebook. Or head over to Amazon to get your ebook or paperback today to support my work. Thanks for listening!

For the next couple of weeks, I am sharing the audio version of my memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression. I don't have the time or resources to put together a fancy-schmancy formal audio version (yet!) so instead, I'm sharing it on the podcast. In this installment, I read Chapter 4: Pregnancy, aka A Fancy Word for Hell and Chapter 5: In Which My Adventures With Postpartum Depression Begin (this covers labor and delivery). I hope to get this all done and shared by the end of June. If you can't wait to hear the rest of the book, head over to PPDadventures.com for your free copy of the ebook. Or head over to Amazon to get your ebook or paperback today to support my work. Thanks for listening!

For the next couple of weeks, I am sharing the audio version of my memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression. I don't have the time or resources to put together a fancy-schmancy formal audio version (yet!) so instead, I'm sharing it on the podcast. In this installment, I read The Prologue, Chapter One: The Girl with Hypchondria (some back story about why I was anxious going into motherhood), Chapter Two: Love and Marriage (a little more backstory that helps understand my particular PPD journey) and Chapter Three: Let's Make A Baby! (the process by which I decided I wanted to get pregnant). I hope to get this all done and shared by the end of June. If you can't wait to hear the rest of the book, head over to PPDadventures.com for your free copy of the ebook. Or head over to Amazon to get your ebook or paperback today to support my work. Thanks for listening!

The past few months, I have been working on improving my physical health. As strong as my mental health has been since I recovered from PPD, I know I will feel even better once I lose weight and reclaim my body. My thyroid is not working as well it should; my iron level is low; my cholesterol is way too high; but hey, my Vitamin D is tip-top. I'm also trying to shout less often at my children and slowly but surely making progress on that front. Later this summer, stay tuned for the podcast audio version of my memoir Adventures with Postpartum Depression, now available on Amazon. Email Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you would like to share your story on a future episode. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, Stephanie Trzyna shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety on the show. Stephanie is the mother of an eleven and half year old daughter. Although she overcame postpartum depression, she still struggles with anxiety. For years, she has been an advocate fighting to crush the stigma of mental illness. Thank you, Stephanie! I loved talking to you. Your story and work are inspirational. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, please email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. My memoir Adventures with Postpartum Depression is now available on Amazon! Visit PPDadventures.com for a link to get a free download of the ebook. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a wonderful week.

This week, Stephanie M. shares her story of a difficult pregnancy, traumatic birth, emergency hysterectomy, and postpartum depression. As part of her postpartum journey, she was hospitalized in the psych ward for a week. These days, she is feeling much better but her recovery is not yet over. Thank you, Stephanie, so much for sharing your story on the show. If you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode, please email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. My book is also available now on Amazon, but you can get the link for your free ebook at PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" from Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a wonderful week.

This Sunday, it's Mother's Day in the United States, and I felt inspired to share some thoughts and rants on the holiday. I talk about my first Mother's Day as a mom, which totally sucked, seeing as I was in the darkness of postpartum depression. I also talk about how one day is not enough to honor a mother. We should feel cherished throughout the year! My advice is to do what feels right for you on Mother's Day and to not compare your day to what you see on social media. (Staying off social media would not be a bad thing.) The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Email Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you would like to share your story on a future episode. My memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression, is now available on Amazon. Thank you for listening and I'll be back next week with another interview.

This week, Lauren shares her story of antenatal and postpartum depression. Lauren is the mother of two girls, ages 3 years old and 10 months. She did NOT experience a mood disorder during her first pregnancy and postpartum period. When she got pregnant three months after a miscarriage, Lauren then went through pregnancy hell. Her traumatizing pregnancy was followed by a traumatic birth. For the first two weeks after delivery, Lauren felt euphoric but then she experienced severe postpartum depression. She had PTSD from her pregnancy, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, disassociation, and suicidal ideation. She is now finally emerging from the postpartum darkness. Thanks, Lauren, for opening up and sharing your story on the show. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. My memoir is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook, and this month, you can also download your free copy of the ebook. (Link at PPDadventures.com). Email Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you would like to share your story on a future episode. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, Emily Richter, aka The OCD Mama, shares her story of postpartum depressive, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anxiety. As a child, Emily was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. Her symptoms were effectively managed with medication. In high school, she weaned off medication and for many years, she felt great. After giving birth to her first child, though, her obsessive compulsive disorder returned. It took Emily several months to ask for help, but now she is doing much better and feels like herself again. Thanks, Emily, for coming on the show! Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. Be sure to download your free copy of my memoir, Adventures with Postpartum Depression (link available at PPDadventures.com). If you would like to share your story on a future episode, email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a lovely week.

This week, I talk about the things I have been learning lately from my life. I had a stomach bug last week, and felt really bitter about that, but then realized it was a blessing-in-disguise helping me with my current spiritual journey with food. (whew, try saying that three times fast.) Life is an adventure, and ultimately, I'm so glad that I get to be human and experience the uncertainty. My book, Adventures with Postpartum Depression, is currently available on Amazon as an e-book if you would like to support my work. If you prefer free, head over to the shownotes for a link to a free ebook. Shownotes are available at PPDadventures.com. Email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you are interested in sharing your story on a future episode or if you would like to contribute a guest post to the blog. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and I hope you have a beautiful week.

This week, Rachel Duff, a single mom, shares her postpartum story. She opens up about a lot of difficult issues, including miscarriage, relationship issues with her ex-fiance, money troubles, and self-harming. Trigger warning: during her darkest days, Rachel cut herself with a blade. In January, she started taking Wellbutrin and she is starting to emerge from the darkness. This is an intense, inspiring episode. Thank you, Rachel, for being so brave and honest. Show notes are available at PPDadventures. My memoir is also now available as an ebook on Amazon. Just search for Adventures with Postpartum Depression if you want to buy the ebook to support my work. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Email Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you would like to share your story on a future episode. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, Laurie Syphard shares her story of postpartum depression. After the birth of her first daughter, she experienced PPD, primarily through extreme anxiety and obsessions. After the birth of her second daughter, she did not experience any PPD. During her recovery, she had to stay briefly at the hospital. She talks about the different things that helped her recovery, including advocacy for maternal mental health. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. (This week, I'm actually getting the notes published before the episode which is a shocking amount of togetherness that will never happen again.) If you'd like to be on my email list, and get notified when I publish my memoir, you can do that at PPDadventures.com as well. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, please email Courtney@PPDadventures. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, I talk about my continued adventures with anxiety. Although I'm much less anxious than I was before I had postpartum depression, I recently discovered some buried anxiety after I gave up my food addictions. So now I am physically and emotionally losing weight! As I work through this latest batch of anxiety, I have done a lot of thinking about the difference between stress and anxiety. I also share some tips about the things that have been helping me become a less anxious mama. I will be starting back up with interviews next week. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. Head over to PPDadventures.com to sign up for the email list of follow me at IG @Courtney.Novak and facebook.com/ppdadventures/. If you want to hear me talking some more, check out the April episode of Natural Postpartum Support (available now on iTunes). The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, I give a personal episode about my overall health. In January, I had epic PMS and decided to quit sugar and caffeine. That improved my moods enormously. I did not have any mood swings with my February cycle but instead, I had some insomnia. (Yay.) After a lot of soul searching, I realized that I had been using sugar to numb my anxiety. Yes, I made a lot of improvements on the anxiety front during my recovery from postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD. But overeating kept a lot of anxiety hidden from my conscious self. Now that I have vast improvements with eating, the hidden anxiety is coming out to play. I have started taking mirtazapine again to sleep (mama needs sleep) but scheduled an appointment with my therapist so I can get to the root of this anxiety. Hooray for continued adventures with anxiety! There are no shownotes this week because my website has crashed and I am yet to start the new one, but my book Adventures With Postpartum Depression will be published very shortly. To stay in touch, follow me on IG @Courtney.Novak or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ppdadventures. Email Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you would like to share your story on a future episode. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and have a wonderful week.

This week, Kelly Thoele shares her story of pregnancy depression and postpartum depression. She describes her difficult pregnancy and scary emergency c-section. For the first twelve weeks postpartum, she struggled and sank into depression. Then, she watched the documentary When the Bough Breaks. That was her wakeup call. She saw her doctor the next day, went on Lexapro, and felt better very quickly. Now she is leading Team Orlando for the 2018 Climb Out of the Darkness. Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your story! For show notes, head over to PPDadventures.com. Email Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you would like to share your story on an upcoming episode. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a wonderful week.

This week, Fiona shares her postpartum story of anxiety, depression and adjustment disorder. During our conversation, she brought up a lot of important issues, like breastfeeding difficulties, shame and guilt, and self-care. Thanks, Fiona, for sharing your journey! For show notes, visit PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, please email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro must is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a lovely week.

This week, Jeremy Hornberger shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety, which hit hard and fast after giving birth to her daughter. Now Jeremy is leading Team Baltimore for the 2018 Climb Out of the Darkness. Thank you, Jeremy, for sharing your story! Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. Don't forget to sign up for the email list so you can get a free copy of the e-book version of my memoir, Adventures With Postpartum Depression, when it is published this spring. If you are interested in sharing your story on a future episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a great week.

This week, Sam White shares her postpartum story. After a difficult pregnancy, Sam quickly became depressed after giving birth to her son. When her son was a toddler, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I loved talking to Sam and was so inspired by her journey. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, please email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. I am currently scheduling interviews for April and May so that you can continue hearing stories all summer long. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a great week.

This week, Katie shares her further adventures with postpartum depression. We first heard about Katie's adventures in Episode 43. Check out that episode to hear more detail about Katie's initial journey and thyroid issues. Since we last talked, Katie has made some major dietary changes and experienced vast improvements to her overall health. She also recently launched the Natural Postpartum Support Podcast. Katie has done a lot of research about the root causes of postpartum depression and identifies six root causes of postpartum depression during our conversation. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. If you are interested in sharing your story on a future episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a beautiful week.

This week, Nikki shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety. Nikki experienced anxiety after the birth of her first child, but she had a history of anxiety. She assume the postpartum anxiety was within the range of normal new mom feelings. It was not until her second child was 10 months old that she realized something had to change. Last year, she participated in the Climb Out of the Darkness. This year, she's leading Team Dacula in the Atlanta area. Shownotes are available at PPDadventures.com. You can find links there to Nikki's Team, her fundraising page, and Maternal Mental Health Support, the FB group she runs. Bravo, Nikki, for all you are doing for moms in the darkness, and thank you for so bravely sharing your story. If you would like to share your story (it's so cathartic), email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, Vivianne is back to tell us more about her adventures with postpartum onset bipolar disorder. This episode is EXTRA adventurous because gardeners were working outside my parents’ house during the interview. UGH. You will get to hear me go through all sorts of emotions and frustrations but in the end, I remembered that life is uncertain and this was just one of those unexpected twists. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. If you are interested in sharing your story on a future episode, email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. I would love to hear from you! Back episodes are being moved to Patreon.com/PPDadventures. For just $2/month, you can support the show and hear all the adventures. Once I have enough supporters, I am going to pay for professional transcripts - another way to get these stories into the world where they belong. The intro music is “Cute” by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and please remember: you are not alone.

This week, I talked about a lot of good stuff. I gave my latest report on weaning off Zoloft: I'm done! I took my last dose in December 2017. And I feel great! I saw my psychiatrist and we decided I did not need to schedule a followup. So that's it, folks, I am no longer a patient with postpartum depression. Damn, that feels good! But I am not done with postpartum depression, oh no, I will keep podcasting as long as there are stories that need to be shared and keep raising awareness because there is still work that needs to be done. I also talk about The Mom Center, the 2018 Climb Out of the Darkness, give a book update, and wax poetic about my adventures with mindfulness and meditation. WHEW. So good to be back, and I am so excited to bring you lots and lots of interviews this year. I have a half dozen scheduled over the next couple of weeks, and if you are interested in sharing your story on an upcoming episode, email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. (I'm typing them right now, I promise.) The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. I love you and hope you have a wonderful week.

This week, Sam Kimura shares her postpartum adventures, starting with the traumatic birth experience of her first child and then the anxiety and depression she experienced after the birth of her second. Although her story is heartbreaking, it is also inspiring, because Sam got the help she needed and is now a coach supporting new moms. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. If you are interested in sharing your story on a future episode, please email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a lovely week.

This week, I talk about my progress weaning off Zoloft. I recently jumped from 50 mg to 25 mg, with zero negative side effects. It has however taken me eleven months to go from 150 mg to 25 mg. Exercise has been helping me feel good. So has Buddhism. I recently finished Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart and I feel forever changed. Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. Also: I'm doing interviews again! If you would like to share your story on a future episode, please email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and I hope you have a wonderful week.

This week, I share some thoughts and tips for enjoying the holidays as much as possible without sacrificing your mental health. Remember: there's always next year! Don't go crazy trying to get the perfect photo if that means staying up late and not getting enough sleep. YOU are more important than any of the traditions. Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thank you for listening and have a wonderful week.

This week, I share my tips for starting a mom-to-mom support group. I started a group over three years ago, and it has helped me process a lot of my postpartum experiences. If you have been feeling the call to start a group, I wanted to share some advice to make it less intimidating. Shownotes are available at PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and have a great week.

This week, I talk about the idea that people in your life just "don't get" what it is like to have a maternal mood disorder - and that's okay! For more information about the show, head over to PPDadventures.com or email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" from Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and have a great week.

This week, I talk about my adventures with therapy, including my decision to end talk therapy a few months ago. I felt like I needed to be able to articulate my reasons for ending therapy but at the end of the day, I ended therapy because that was what my intuition demanded. For more information, head over to PPDadventures.com or email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and have a great week.

This week, I'm exhausted but I wanted to talk about "doing your best." I'm not trying to convince you to do more and measure up to some impossible standard. I'm trying to explain that "doing your best" is personal, constantly changing, and all you need to do on any given day. maybe your best today is getting out of bed and taking care of your baby. That's enough. Don't push yourself to do more than you can do until you are ready, and stop comparing yourself to everyone else. For more information about the show, head over to PPDadventures.com or email Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and have a great week.

I am back from my summer break, so this week, I'm just catching everyone up on the past few months. I share an update on my slow and steady weaning off of medications and talk about my new interest in learning about menopause. I'm only 38 but I refuse to be blindsided by the next big transition in my life as a woman. Email Courtney@PPDadventures.com if you would like to share your story on a future episode. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and have a great week.

In episode 45, Vivianne shared her adventures with maternal mental illness. Since her interview, her diagnosis and medications have been changed. Her psychiatrist now thinks she might have bipolar disorder. In this mini-sode, I read an update from Vivianne, which I will post in the show notes at PPDadventures.com. Thank you, Vivianne, for sharing so much of your story with our listeners!

This week, Vivianne shares her adventures with maternal mood disorders. At the time of her interview, it was still unclear what her diagnosis was. Her psychiatrist thought she might be experiencing bipolar II onset. After we talked, she was diagnosed with untreated postpartum depression and ADHD. It never ceases to amaze me how similar but different our stories are. Thank you, Vivianne, for sharing your story! Show notes will be available at PPDadventures.com. If you would like to share your story on a future episode, or if you just want to say hello, email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" from Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and I hope you have a lovely week.

This week, Shannon shares her story of postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD. She also talks about the infertility she experienced before having her daughter. She had a long recovery with many ups and downs but eventually found a therapist and psychiatrist who specialized in PMADs and were able to help her make a full recovery. Thank you, Shannon, for sharing your story! Show notes are available at PPDadventures.com. Don't forget to head over to the website to sign up for the email list or you can always email me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. I'll be back next week with another interview and then I'll wrap up this first season of the podcast to take a summer break. But don't worry - I'll be back in the fall with lots of interviews. If you are interested in sharing your story during Season Two, please do not hesitate to contact me at Courtney@PPDadventures.com. The intro music is "Cute" by Bensound.com. Thanks for listening and have a great week.