Ligaya Means Happiness: Suffering & Surviving Postpartum Anxiety

I read about it, thought about it, I am it. Mom and parental fatigue is real! It is defined as: a type of exhaustion that can be caused by feeling overwhelmed by the physical and emotional demands of parenting. And why wouldn't we be tired? Most of us are juggling kids, marriages, careers, fitness (hopefully) and a social life (hopefully). So yeah, we're bound to hit a burnout more than once in the journey. How do we recognize and deal with it? Here's my take.

I'm back! And it's not my wedding anniversary. Three years ago at this exact time, I was at one of my lowest lows during my struggle with Postpartum Anxiety and OCD. This episode is an ode to that time- what I felt, what I did, and most of all, what I learned. I always say "Give yourself grace... You're exactly where you are supposed to be." I of all people know how hard those words are to live by in certain moments. But live through it, one must.

In this episode, I interview my guest and NAMI colleague Christopher Florendo about living with his diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder. Chris is unrelentingly raw and honest about what his journey has been like living with this illness and other co-ocurring mental health conditions over the past 20+ years. As many are still unfamiliar with this disorder, I want to bring awareness and as always, compassion.

It's time to transition. I appreciate everyone who has listened to "Ligaya Means Happiness" over the past 1.5 years and I'm now ready to broaden the conversation around mental health- to discuss more conditions, therapies, treatments and perspectives. I looks forward to welcoming new guests and discussing their lived experiences. While I will always honor and respect my postpartum journey, and will continue to discuss PP Anxiety and OCD as is appropriate, I look forward to discussing so much more, destigmatizing the conversation around mental illness, and welcoming new guests with diverse perspectives. Also, lastly, I touch on Matthew Perry and Ketamine in this episode, as I feel it's important to discuss and differentiate his case from what I spoke about in my last podcast. Welcome to a new day. Let's get mental!

What is ketamine and how does it help heal Depression, Anxiety and so many other mental health conditions and ailments? My returning guest Kat Green and I will tell you first hand, having just recently undergone treatment. How does it feel to quite literally "trip out" for an hour and is this just the latest trend, or the real deal? We'll get into it all! The good, the bad and the truly psychedelic.

In this podcast, I start with a major life update! And then, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, my guest Rosanna Cepeda and I discuss how Postpartum Depression, Anxiety and OCD are viewed and treated in the Hispanic culture. Rosanna, a first generation American from Mexico, gives her account of going through Postpartum Depression and Anxiety 18 years ago in a Hispanic family and household. We discuss the differences between how perinatal illness is seen in Hispanic culture versus Westernized cultures and how far we've come (and still have to go).

It's not just your mental health anymore. Listen to my interview with Dr. Andrea Niles who runs Prospera, a maternal mental health and wellness platform that helps mothers in all stages of becoming a mother - pregnancy, postpartum, and up to 3-4 years after the baby is born. Prospera is an affordable platform that offers evidence based treatments for many pre and postpartum conditions. "Motherhood is the most monumental transition a woman goes through in her life and I believe every mom should have access to good mental health support as they go through that..." - Dr. Andrea Niles: www.prosperamhw.com

Join my good friend Victoria Rivers and I as we discuss our birth stories and discuss how birth trauma can lead to Postpartum Depression, Anxiety and OCD. Also a reminder that we are all in this together! As moms, we need to support each other by telling our stories.

Join my guest Dr. Tatyana Kholodkov and I for a detailed discussion on the benefits of Psychedelic Therapy - Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy and microdosing mushrooms. This untraditional treatment can be quite effective for women going through Postpartum illness when western medications have proven ineffective. Tatyana is passionate about access to care and extremely knowledgeable on this topic. I'm grateful to have been able to record this episode with her. Enjoy, learn, namaste.

My refreshingly real conversation with Suzanne Yatim Aslam, author of the new book Post Pardon Me about what it is like to be struggling with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety - and not even knowing it! Relatable, witty and uncensored, we discuss her story, the importance of advocating for yourself, IFS (Internal Family Systems) and the village that is needed not just for the baby, but for the mother. Don't miss this one!

In this episode, I am joined by one of my best friends whom I met through our postpartum experience. We have a candid conversation about Postpartum OCD and how not to lose yourself in unrelenting hamster wheel that is parenthood!

In Episode 21, I discuss some major life changes I'm going through at the moment, Adjustment Disorder, and not letting fear get in the way of fulfillment. And I wouldn't be a podcaster in today's zeitgeist if I didn't discuss Scandoval!

This episode was recorded on Easter Sunday and focuses on my gratitude for feeling better lately, and the coping mechanisms that have worked for me vs. those that have not. Overall I am thankful for the peace I am finally feeling on an ongoing basis but aware my anxiety can return at any time.

My former Fox colleague and I discuss being Type A, ambitious career women in the corporate world while having anxiety. We discuss Performance Anxiety, Imposter Syndrome, crying it out (at home or in the car), and all the other coping skills we have used to get through and be successful.

Postpartum OCD can be a scary thing, especially when it's a certain type of illness called Harm OCD where you have intrusive thoughts about harming yourself or others (your baby). This topic is not one that is well publicized because of the shame and guild its sufferers feel, leading them not to talk about it. Harm OCD does not just affect moms in Postpartum. It can come at any point in a person's life. I'm thankful to Dr. Shahana Alibhai, licensed physician and keynote speaker, for joining me to discuss this delicate topic.

In this first episode of 2023, I talk about the battle to be well and stay well. It takes an arsenal of coping skills, the support of your loved ones, an adept care team, and the Anxiety Warrior within you. Learning to be well again is a journey, just like living with daily anxiety is. There is an Anxiety Warrior in all of us prepared to fight. Also, I am excited to introduce my revamped website: www.ligayameanshappiness.com. Please visit it and if you buy anything from the shop, 10% goes to NAMI (National Association on Mental Illness).

One had children in her 20's and again in her 40's, and the other had them back-to-back in her 30's. We all experienced some form of Postpartum. We discuss it, as well as how we balance motherhood, jobs, toddlers and maintaining our sweet sanity.

Mental Health expert, entrepreneur, mother of two and survivor of Postpartum Depression twice, Angelle Ofili tells us about her struggle with Postpartum and her determination to get through the second without medication. Candid, real and inspiring, Angelle does not hold back telling us about her experience and how she's making it through.

Having a baby isn't just about preparing for the baby. Mothers have to prepare themselves and the 5 S's as well (learn what they are in this episode). New Mom Coach Kallista Andersen acknowledges how scary and shocking having a baby can be. Hear from her on how best to prepare and get through the Postpartum season.

The final parts of my journey take me to Ohio by way of Texas. I miss Halloween and Thanksgiving with my family, but am finally able to return home well to my family in time for Christmas. My after-thoughts on my journey and plans to keep podcasting.

Coming out of my residential stay worse off than before, I resolved to white knuckle it over the next few months while I got accustomed to new doctors and new … wines.

This episode features my friend - Composer and Producer Kat Green who was in a residential treatment facility with me in 2021. We're two gals who seemingly have it all together and yet find ourselves in treatment. We discuss our experience at the residential, good and bad, and urge people to get the help they need.

When nothing was helping, I sought help in a place I never thought I would. It was incredibly hard and bleak. To this day, I am not sure it was the best decision, but it's part of my journey. It's what I felt I had to do at the time for me and my family, and it ultimately led me to my next steps. It's all a journey.

Newly recovered from Postpartum, I pile my plate high with things to do- just what my anxiety does NOT need.

My husband William joins me for a candid conversation about what we went through as a couple, his thoughts and feelings on supporting me through my struggle, and how he thinks we came out.

Holding onto hope and leaving no stone unturned, I send an email that lands me in an unexpected place. And the sun finally comes out again.

My medication that had always worked for 15 years stopped working "pooped out" after my baby was born. I was suffering from horrible anxiety and disturbing intrusive thoughts.

I get pregnant with my first child and my worst fear is realized when my anxiety flares with her arrival. My experience with Postpartum Anxiety begins.

I got locked in a closet with Britney Spears, my therapist compared my relationships to soup, and I (re)learned some important lessons.

I was 22 years old and a senior in college when my Anxiety and Panic resurfaced due to a relationship I should have ended much sooner than I did. How I got through it and what I learned.

In my first episode, I talk about the first time I really experienced severe Anxiety and Panic Disorder and what got me through it.

A quick intro to my podcast about Anxiety and Postpartum Anxiety.