PMD Symptoms: How to Decode Anxious Thoughts When You Feel "Off" (Ep. 440)

PMD Symptoms: How to Decode Anxious Thoughts When You Feel "Off" (Ep. 440)

Author: Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C September 4, 2025 Duration: 22:34
In today’s episode, I want to discuss the feeling many people have that “something’s not right,” but they may not have the words to articulate exactly what it is. That feeling can come during pregnancy or postpartum, and it can follow a loss or a grueling infertility journey. For the most part, when people don’t feel like themselves, they don’t have the language to express that they might have a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. They may even internalize their feelings in extreme isolation and conclude that they are just “a bad parent.” I’m talking today about why people need space for their feelings, and above all, why they deserve to feel seen and heard. Join me! Show Highlights: Signs and symptoms of a mom who is suffering Be curious in your support of a new mom. Giving space for feelings and making someone feel seen and heard can make a HUGE difference. Examples of validating responses and resources that can be very helpful People have been dismissed and had their feelings minimized—even by their healthcare providers. Turning to the internet for validation is a natural step. Dr. Kat’s advice to those who want to help a new mom who is suffering Resources: Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by psychologist and perinatal mental health specialist Dr. Katayune Kaeni, the Mom and Mind podcast creates a vital space for conversations that are often left in the shadows. While postpartum depression is a critical starting point, this series explores the entire spectrum of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, from anxiety and OCD to the complex emotions that many new parents experience but feel unprepared to discuss. Dr. Kat, as she’s known to listeners, brings both professional expertise and deep empathy to each episode, sitting down with mothers, fathers, clinicians, and advocates to share real stories and practical strategies. You’ll hear honest dialogues about coping, managing daily life, and the nuanced path to recovery, all framed within the understanding that mental health is foundational to family health. This isn’t about quick fixes, but about building resilience and finding community through shared experience. The Mom and Mind podcast consistently goes beyond surface-level advice, delving into the raw, complicated, and hopeful realities of parenting’s early stages. It’s a resource that acknowledges the full picture of becoming a parent, offering validation and evidence-based guidance when it’s needed most. Tune in for conversations that are as informative as they are genuinely supportive.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mom and Mind | Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
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