Mom and Mind

298: A South Asian Mom's Mental Health Journey: Missed Diagnosis with Jigyna Patel

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Today you’ll hear Jigyna Patel’s story. 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. She’s a Houston-area mother of three, and she is a passionate perinatal mental health advocate who loves her volunteer work with PSI. Join us to learn more!

Show Highlights:

  • Jigyna’s story of her first pregnancy, nine years ago, which involved PCOS, infertility, emergency C-section, and a traumatic birth
  • 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: Email

    Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support! 

    Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.  

    Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!


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    Mom and MindBy Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C
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