Watch on YouTube:
Missed Diagnosis: A South Asian Mom's Postpartum Mental Health Journey
Today you’ll hear Jigyna Patel’s story of missed diagnosis. She and I met recently at the PSI Conference, and I knew her perspective as a South Asian mom of Indian heritage would be valuable for listeners to hear.
About Jigyna Patel
Jigyna Patel is a Houston-area mother of three, and she is a passionate perinatal mental health advocate who loves her volunteer work with PSI.
Missed Diagnosis: A South Asian Mom's Postpartum Mental Health Journey Show Highlights:
How Jigyna felt depression and disinterest in her new baby after taking her baby home to much help from family members, but felt much stigma and shame to get out of her “funk”
How her symptoms progressed to anxiety, panic attacks, severe sleep deprivation, hallucinations, delusions, intrusive thoughts, and suicidal thoughts
How she started the journey with a therapist, but eventually had to move with her baby into her parents’ home for six weeks
How medication, better sleep, journaling, and frequent walks helped Jigyna feel better and better over the next few months
How Jigyna and her husband had conflicting opinions about having another baby
How a second pregnancy (via another IUI) with twins (!) launched Jigyna into deep depression—until she decided to take charge and make a plan
How the twins’ birth was an amazing delivery, via C-section, and led to Jigyna’s struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety–but none of the other symptoms from before
Why Jigyna became active with PSI after researching and realizing that she had experienced postpartum psychosis with her first baby
How Jigyna’s Indian culture impacted her journey with pressure and stigma
How she learned the value of sleep and took steps to prioritize her sleep and self-care as a mom of three
Why she felt guilty for not “wanting” her pregnancy with her twins at first–and how her group support has shown that this is a common feeling for moms of multiples
How Jigyna handled bonding and connecting issues with her babies
Highlights of her current work with PSI
Resources:
Connect with Jigyna: jpatelpsihouston@gmail.com
Website: postpartumfaith.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/postpartumfaith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpartumfaith
Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/
Tools, Skills and Hacks for New Moms
Manage thoughts & feelings of overwhelm
Learn how breathing & grounding help reach calmness
Exercises to find peace
