Nourished with Dr. Anikó

A Terrifying Lived Experience with Aaisha Alvi In this episode of Nourished with Dr. Anikó, Dr. Anikó sits down with postpartum psychosis awareness advocate, writer, and author Aaisha Alvi for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about lived experience, advocacy, and the gaps in maternal mental health care that nearly cost Aaisha her life and her daughter's life.Together, they explore what postpartum psychosis actually looks like from the inside, why it is so often missed by healthcare providers, and how a culture of misinformation and fear has caused this temporary and fully treatable condition to claim lives it never needed to.This conversation also dives into the difference between intrusive thoughts and delusions, the bizarre behaviors that signal something is seriously wrong, and why "rare" is the wrong word for an illness that occurs at the same rate as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.00:00 – Content warning and crisis resources 02:00 – Welcome and introducing Aaisha Alvi 03:00 – Why Aaisha's book is a rare and detailed account of psychosis 06:00 – Recovery and meeting Aaisha at her baseline 09:00 – Why full recovery is possible even after delayed treatment 12:00 – Why providers are sometimes afraid to name psychosis 14:00 – Why PMADs are the #1 complication of pregnancy24:00 – Psychosis as a progression, not a snap - where intervention is possible 28:00 – Intrusive thoughts vs. delusions: how to tell them apart 34:00 – Bizarre behavior as the most reliable outward sign of psychosis 39:00 – When loved ones see something off and providers say it's fine44:00 – A look ahead at Part 2Important Resources Mentioned:If you or someone you love is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (U.S.).For maternal mental health support, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7: 📞 1-833-TLC-MAMApostpartum.net Postpartum Support International (PSI) — provider directory, provider-to-provider consultation line, helplines, and support groups for individuals and familiesapp-network.org - Action on Postpartum Psychosis — stories of recovery and educational resources for families and providers: app-network.orgA Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis by Aaisha Alvi — Aaisha's full account of both episodes of postpartum psychosis, with a foreword by Dr. Wendy Davis.Follow Aaisha on Instagram for ongoing education and advocacy: @AaishaAlviWritesContent note: This episode discusses postpartum psychosis in honest and sometimes graphic detail, including hallucinations, delusions, and homicidal and suicidal thoughts. Please listen thoughtfully and skip if it is not the right time.Connect with Dr. Anikó:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aniko/Website: https://www.draniko.com/Thank you for listening to Nourished with Dr. Anikó! It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5 star review and share with those you love! Your presence is truly felt and deeply appreciated.Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.