Welcome, you beautiful soul, to a space where stories are shared, hearts are opened, and journeys are embraced.
Today, I want to share a piece of my own journey—a journey through the complexities of perinatal anxiety, depression, and OCD. It's a journey that, at times, felt like navigating through a dense fog, where every step forward was met with uncertainty and every breath carried the weight of unspoken fears.
Motherhood, they say, is supposed to be a time of joy and fulfillment—a journey filled with precious moments and unbreakable bonds. And while that may be true for some, for others, including myself, it can also be a journey fraught with challenges, doubts, and struggles. It's a journey that demands resilience, strength, and above all, courage—to confront the shadows that lurk within and to shine a light on the darkness that threatens to consume.
My journey through perinatal mental health challenges began with the birth of my precious son—a moment filled with wonder and awe, but also with overwhelming emotions and unanswered questions. As I held my newborn in my arms, I felt a flood of conflicting emotions wash over me—joy, love, but also fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Was I ready for this? Could I handle the immense responsibility of motherhood? And most importantly, was I enough?
In the days and weeks that followed, those doubts and fears only grew stronger, morphing into something darker. I found myself consumed by anxiety—constantly worrying about my baby's health, safety, and well-being. My thoughts raced which would lead to my heart racing and my mind spiraling into a whirlwind of catastrophic thoughts. What if something happened to my baby? What if I wasn't able to protect him? The fear was paralyzing, suffocating, and all-consuming.
And then came the depression—a sneaking fog that settled over me like a dense mist, clouding my thoughts and zapping my energy. Simple tasks felt overwhelming, and even the smallest decisions seemed impossible to make. I found myself retreating into myself, withdrawing from the world and the people around me, lost in a sea of to do tasks and survival.
In this fog of confusion, I often found myself simply going through the motions, not fully present in the moment but rather drifting through life on autopilot. The vibrant colors of the world around me seemed dulled, muted by the weight of my depression, and even the moments of joy felt fleeting.
But amidst the darkness, there was also light—a glimmer of hope that shone through the cracks, reminding me that I was not alone in my struggles. It was in the embrace of a supportive community, in the listening ear of a compassionate friend, and in the comforting words of fellow mothers who understood the depth of my pain that I found solace, strength, and healing.
And so, I invite you to join me in this conversation on the Empower 2 Heal Podcast—a conversation about maternal mental health, about the struggles and challenges that so many of us face, often in silence and isolation. Let us break the stigma, shatter the silence, and shine a light on the darkness that threatens to engulf us. Let us build a community of support, understanding, and compassion—a community where every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every journey is embraced.
Together, let us walk this path hand in hand, knowing that we are never alone—that in our shared vulnerability lies our greatest strength. And let us remember that it is through our struggles that we find our resilience, through our pain that we find our healing, and through our stories that we find our power.
With love,
Your Motherhood Therapist, Coach, & Podcast Host Dena Tibsherany
LMSW PMH-C