A Postpartum Psychosis Journey: From Healing to Advocacy (Ep. 478)

Today’s guest shares her personal story of postpartum psychosis with an underlying bipolar disorder. Her experience has inspired her passion for advocacy on behalf of other mothers who need support and the assurance that they can get through these issues and go on to lead normal lives. Join us to learn more! Luisa Shamas is an educator with more than a decade of experience in the perinatal mental health field. She provides bilingual (Spanish and English) support to families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Luisa is the PSI Spanish Support Group Manager and provides training and ongoing assistance to volunteers interested in facilitating a support group. She is a PPP survivor who believes that peer support is essential for successful recovery and is a Certified Group Facilitator, Coach, and Lead Trainer for GPS en Español. Her lived experience with perinatal mood disorders provides her with an expertise that has fueled her advancement at both GPS and PSI. Luisa describes herself as a passionate advocate, educator, and mother who wants to help other mothers who struggle with perinatal mental health issues. She is of Argentinian heritage and currently lives with her husband and son in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Show Highlights: Luisa’s story: marriage (into a family of doctors), a new baby, the loss of her father, postpartum intrusive thoughts, and her family noticing that “something’s not right.” Even having a healthy baby and seemingly everything she ever wanted couldn’t prevent thoughts that became a nightmare. Delusions, negative thoughts, and an obsession with the baby With postpartum psychosis, early detection is important! Finding a Spanish-speaking psychiatrist, but she was not a perinatal psychiatrist. Finding help with medications, but then being diagnosed with bipolar disorder Luisa’s passion to work with PSI to help other mothers Understanding that breastfeeding while on medication can work Luisa’s message to mothers who are struggling with bipolar disorder or PPP Cultural stigmas for Latin Americans to not admit when they are struggling The need for more perinatal mental health professionals  Women need to educate themselves about mental health. Peer support groups through PSI help women know they are not alone.  Resources: Connect with Luisa Shamas: Instagram 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