09 | Jade - bipolar, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, talk therapy, helplines, women’s circles

Perinatal Stories Australia

In this episode, I welcome Jade who shares her ongoing journey with mental ill health - a journey which is both three years old but new at the same time. After the birth of her son and the subsequent sleep deprivation, Jade’s mental health declined and she was (mis)diagnosed with postpartum depression.

Despite proactively and consistently seeking support from several psychologists and trying multiple anti-depressants across three years, Jade was still experiencing depressive episodes while all the mothers in her online community were in the enviable stages of recovery.

Thanks to the persistence of a very supportive friend, Jade finally connected with a perinatal psychiatrist. Within 15 minutes of that first appointment, Jade received the correct diagnosis which came with a whole new treatment plan, a referral to the perfect psychologist (finally!), and of course a whole lot of grief.

When I first created my Instagram account, Jade shared my story on her page and I’m honoured to return the favour by holding space for her journey now. You can connect with Jade on Instagram @postpartum.jade or via her blog. This isn’t an episode to miss.

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MADE WITH LOVE by Rebecca (host, founder, storyteller) x