February 03, 2025

394: A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis with Aaisha Alvi

44 minutes

I’m joined today by Aaisha Alvi, a writer and fierce postpartum psychosis awareness advocate. In her recent book, A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis, she shares her experience and explains how her symptoms of psychosis were missed, ignored, and overlooked by many healthcare providers until she finally got the help she needed. Aaisha shares her story with us and discusses the differences between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, along with the biggest misconceptions about postpartum psychosis. Aaisha works in many ways as an advocate and educator, bringing awareness to postpartum psychosis and volunteering with various mental health organizations, including PSI. Join us to hear Aaisha’s story!

Show Highlights:

Aaisha’s journey into the world of perinatal mental health and postpartum psychosis

Aaisha’s postpartum experience of depression and intrusive thoughts extended to fears about her family members harming her baby.

A repeat of symptoms after Aaisha’s miscarriage

Delusions, more intrusive thoughts, and voices telling her bizarre things—with no help until Aaisha saw her sixth doctor (Finally—a postpartum psychosis diagnosis!)

“Provider ignorance” and Aaisha’s ironic attempts to hide her real symptoms while simultaneously seeking help

Thoughts about anti-psychotic meds

Being dismissed and ignored by healthcare providers—even as Aaisha begged for help

What her doctors were missing

The real statistics of postpartum psychosis—and why we shouldn’t say it’s a “rare condition”

Differences between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis

Aaisha’s words of advice to families about a loved one

Religious delusions–what we should understand

BIPOC women and the reality of postpartum psychosis—Why the disparity in care?

The biggest misconceptions about postpartum psychosis

End the stigma! Postpartum psychosis is another type of mental illness that CAN and MUST be treated!

What Aaisha hopes her book does for women and their healthcare providers

Resources:

Connect with Aaisha Alvi: Website and Instagram

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms

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!

If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients!

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By Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C

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