The PANDAS Foundation podcast brings you deep insight and advice into the diverse and raw experiences of perinatal mental health and shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
PANDAS Foundation - Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support - helps people with their mental health at an early intervention stage - that's any time from conception through to birth and beyond.
In this podcast, Sally Bunkham and Annie Belasco offer hope for parents struggling with mental health. Like many of the staff and volunteers at the charity they've experienced - and overcome - perinatal health struggles and want to support others through theirs.
Parenthood can be great. It can also be a lonely time with many challenges and changes. That's why we're making this podcast - so that wherever you are and whatever has brought you here, you know that you're not alone. If you're experiencing some frightening thoughts and feelings, or someone you love is suffering. We're here to reassure you that help and recovery is possible and we will have many examples of this that we hope will inspire you.
Some of the topics we'll talk about in this series might be familiar to you. But others could be new. Perinatal mental health is diverse and includes conditions like low mood, anxiety, pre and post natal depression, maternal OCD, intrusive thoughts and so on. However alone you might feel now, we want you to know that we are there to support you.
We hope that this podcast and our charity as a whole will help you find the information and support to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel for you and your family.
When PANDAS as a charity talks about perinatal mental health, we have no cut off points or rules about when you can or can't reach out for support with us as a parent or a carer. We provide free support every day via our helpline, whatsapp and email services and our online and offline peer to peer support groups.
https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
This podcast may and will include from time-to-time themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness, themes may include, suicide, baby loss, self-harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics.
If you urgently need help if you are in mental health crisis, please the Samaritans on 116123 or the emergency services. Via 111 or 999.
Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioners' guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.
Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm
Samaritans 116 123
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The PANDAS Foundation podcast brings you deep insight and advice into the diverse and raw experiences of perinatal mental health and shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
PANDAS Foundation - Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support - helps people with their mental health at an early intervention stage - that's any time from conception through to birth and beyond.
In this podcast, Sally Bunkham and Annie Belasco offer hope for parents struggling with mental health. Like many of the staff and volunteers at the charity they've experienced - and overcome - perinatal health struggles and want to support others through theirs.
Parenthood can be great. It can also be a lonely time with many challenges and changes. That's why we're making this podcast - so that wherever you are and whatever has brought you here, you know that you're not alone. If you're experiencing some frightening thoughts and feelings, or someone you love is suffering. We're here to reassure you that help and recovery is possible and we will have many examples of this that we hope will inspire you.
Some of the topics we'll talk about in this series might be familiar to you. But others could be new. Perinatal mental health is diverse and includes conditions like low mood, anxiety, pre and post natal depression, maternal OCD, intrusive thoughts and so on. However alone you might feel now, we want you to know that we are there to support you.
We hope that this podcast and our charity as a whole will help you find the information and support to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel for you and your family.
When PANDAS as a charity talks about perinatal mental health, we have no cut off points or rules about when you can or can't reach out for support with us as a parent or a carer. We provide free support every day via our helpline, whatsapp and email services and our online and offline peer to peer support groups.
https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
This podcast may and will include from time-to-time themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness, themes may include, suicide, baby loss, self-harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics.
If you urgently need help if you are in mental health crisis, please the Samaritans on 116123 or the emergency services. Via 111 or 999.
Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioners' guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.
Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm
Samaritans 116 123
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr Caroline Boyd, a specialist in maternal anxiety and anger returns to the PANDAS Foundation Podcast to raise one of the most common and least openly-discussed aspects of the perinatal experience: unwanted intrusive thoughts.
Unwanted intrusive thoughts fly in the face of societal norms and can leave us feeling horrified, distressed and ashamed. So how are they a useful part of our mind’s natural coping mechanism and how can we learn to accept and manage them?
Whether they’re images or words, these kinds of thoughts are more likely to occur when we’re feeling stressed and are our mind’s way of helping us be more vigilant to threat, so it’s no wonder they’re a common aspect of parenthood.
But that doesn’t make it any less upsetting when they arise. But recognising that these thoughts are outside of your usual thinking is key.
So does having these kinds of unwanted images or thoughts mean that you pose a risk to your baby? Actually, the latest findings suggest that the more horrified you are by your thoughts, the less likely you are to act on them.
Caroline explores the spectrum of obsessive, compulsive thoughts that include unwanted intrusive thoughts and their relationship to trauma. She also shares her advice on how to interpret and respond to them when they arise.
If unwanted intrusive thoughts are interfering with daily life, help is available and this is very treatable. Reach out your GP, to PANDAS and speak with supportive friends and loved ones to start your recovery.
You can reach Caroline at drcarolineboyd.com or via Instagram @_drboyd.
Caroline offers anger courses for mothers: https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/maternal-rage-sign-up
Unwanted intrusive thoughts are distinct from the unwanted thoughts associated with postpartum psychosis. Signs of postpartum psychosis can include mania, delusions and hallucinations and you can find more information about this here.
It’s important to seek help immediately if you are making plans to hurt yourself or your baby. Call 999 or visit your local A&E.
This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.
Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm
Samaritans 116 123
US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.