EPISODE 34: MEDICATION FOR POSTNATAL DEPRESSION AND PNDA PART 1 of 3 This is PART 1 of a 3-part series all on MEDICATION in the perinatal period. This episode contains; (11.34) MY story and my WHY; lots of statistics that will blow your mind (32.29) WHAT treatment is available for PND and PNDA? (34.36) WHO should you see to obtain treatment? (36.44) WHAT medications exist for PND and PNDA and HOW do they work? (42.56) What factors are considered when choosing a medication? (46.38) What are some MYTHS around medications? (54.12) What should you watch out for or consider when beginning a new medication? (57.35) What are REALISTIC time frames of medications working? (1.00) How LONG do you need to remain on medication for? (1.01) What should you consider in regards to the safe use of medicines? (1.03) What if the medication does not work for you? (1.07) What if I need medication or your partner needs medication? (1.10) What can you say if your family or friends ask if you are on medication?   (1.13) What can you say if you feel judgement or stigma from others for taking medication?   (25.48) I am passionate because of the following statistics; 1 in 5 women have PNDA 1 in 7 women have PND 1 in 10 men have PND, all of which equate to 100,000 families each year in Australia; not even factoring the pandemic impact 75% of affected women DON’T seek help UNTIL they reach CRISIS point 20% have suicidal thoughts or acts of self-harm Suicide is one of the LEADING causes of maternal death in the first 12 months postpartum in Australia…with 1 in 4 calls to PANDA having suicidal thoughts 50 % of mothers are NOT diagnosed by a HCP (ppd.org) (with 63% of PANDA callers not have informed their health care provider) 1 in 5 were diagnosed with depression for the FIRST time in this PERINATAL PERIOD! Which to me means, that 1 in 5 families would have NO idea what is happening to them and WHAT to do!) 50% of men who’s partner has PND, will develop depression themselves (postpartumdepression.org) The PWC report in 2019 found that PNDA has an $877 million impact annually, with a $5.2 billion lifetime impact It was found in this PWC report that 86% of parents with children under 2 with PND were married, but face a lower probability of staying married and this to me would occur due to the immense strain of the condition on relationships 80% of women with PND will go on to have a FULL recovery…this is phenomenal! PART 2 will continue on with... What are the considerations of PREGNANCY with medications? Although a separate topic, what are the implications of medications for HG (hyperemesis gravidarum whilst pregnant? Consider that this condition can impact on a mother’s well-being) What are the considerations of BREASTFEEDING with medications? What are possible SIDE EFFECTS of each class of medication? What are possible DRUG INTERACTIONS with medications for PNDA? What are the considerations with ALCOHOL whilst taking antidepressants/medications? What are some possible FOOD INTERACTIONS? What happens when WEANING OFF medication (upon doctor’s advice & consultation only) PART 3 of the series will continue... What are NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS that are available for ANXIETY and DEPRESSION over-the-counter & considerations to make? (st johns wort, gut health, chamomile etc.) BE KIND to yourself throughout the process Write a COMMITMENT STATEMENT to yourself What are some STRATEGIES to use ALSO whilst using WESTERN TREATMENTS? Nutrition Ayurveda (massage, impact of all 5 senses on the system) Limit alcohol and caffeine Movement Sleep hygiene Meditation (link my GM’s) Mindfulness; colouring, washing the dishes, ideas to practice it Self-care (journal, baths, walk, haircut, new clothes) Grounding strategies Saying no…boundaries Looking at work/life balance; seeing if there are areas to trim that are troubling you…trouble-shoot/solution-mode what is working and what is not/outsource what you can Lean into your tribe…find WHO you resonate with and who yo