mental illness — Mum's The Word (Writing)

Helping Women Without Diagnoses To Get The Help They Need

It’s been about ten years since I overcame my debilitating, chronic illness. My illness was misdiagnosed for fifteen, long years. During the prime of my life, my life stalled. Some of the best doctors in Connecticut and New York City screened me, but only one doctor was able to properly diagnose me. Sadly, this happens more often than people realize.

Before I became sick, I trusted my doctors completely. But to be honest, I rarely got sick in school or college, so doctors only saw me for my annual physical. However, my life completely changed when I chose to do my Junior Year Abroad in London, England and developed a fever, diagnosed as being from the flu, and did not regain my health until fifteen years later.

Reducing The Stigma of Maternal Mental Illnesses

Today is World Maternal Mental Health Day and it is National Maternal Depression Awareness Month in the United States. World Maternal Health Day is a day once a year that raises global awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and reduces the stigma of maternal mental illnesses. One in five new mothers may experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety or postpartum psychosis. Unfortunately, many of these illnesses go untreated due to a lack of diagnosis, sometimes causing tragic repercussions for both mother and child. Luckily, postpartum depression/anxiety has become a more mainstream topic, but still many new mothers are not aware they experienced it, until it has passed. Postpartum depression is an all-encompassing illness and so is being a new mother.

Carey Kirkella, from New York City, had a history of bipolar disorder and was concerned that her symptoms could escalate after labor to postpartum psychosis.