REPLAY: EBB 344 - Crash Course in Perinatal Mood Disorders and Treatment with Dr. Kat Kaeni, Perinatal Psychologist and Past Board Chair of Postpartum Support International

Perinatal mental health is often a misunderstood landscape shaped by stigma, cultural expectations, and invisible struggles that touch entire families. In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with Dr. Kat Kaeni, perinatal mental health certified psychologist, author of The Pregnancy Workbook, and host of the Mom & Mind podcast, to break the silence around postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, and psychosis. Drawing on her professional expertise and personal experience, Dr. Kat reveals why shame and isolation are so common, how symptoms really show up for new parents, and what makes perinatal mental health distinct from other forms of mental illness. They discuss the myths that keep parents suffering in silence, the real impact of mental health on babies and families, and how therapy and support groups, including free resources from Postpartum Support International, can empower families on the path to healing. Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of perinatal mental health disorders, including postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis. Sensitive topics such as intrusive thoughts, stigma, feelings of guilt and shame, and the potential for harm to self or others are addressed. Listener discretion is advised, and we encourage anyone who may be affected by these topics to reach out for support through Postpartum Support International or a trusted healthcare provider. (00:07:28) Unique Challenges in Perinatal Mental Health (00:11:05) Caregivers' Mental Health and Bonding Challenges (00:16:32) Parental Isolation Stemming from Anxiety and Depression (00:21:53) Emergent Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms (00:27:08) Overcoming Stigma in Perinatal Mental Health (00:31:54) Thought and Behavior Change Therapy for Depression (00:36:56) Perinatal Mental Health Challenges and Support Resoureces EBB 197 – Addressing Perinatal Mental Health for Communities of Color with the Co-Founders of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, Divya Kumar, Jabina Coleman, and Desirée Israel Postpartum Support International The Mom & Mind Podcast The Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques   For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.