Mom Shares How Childbirth Led to Bipolar Diagnosis

About 50% of women with bipolar disorder receive their diagnosis after the birth of a child — during the postpartum period. Despite that large number, there is little information available on the possibility of pregnancy triggering an initial episode of mania or other symptoms of bipolar.

Jessica Ekhoff joins us as the first guest of Inside Bipolar. Ekhoff has postpartum bipolar disorder. She shares her diagnosis story and what she did next.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Meet Your Inside Bipolar Guest and Hosts

Jessica Ekhoff is an attorney and postpartum mental health advocate living in Chicago with her husband and son. She is the author of “Super Sad Unicorn: A Memoir of Mania,” which chronicles her experience with postpartum-onset bipolar disorder and psychosis. You can contact Jessica or order a copy of the book at https://www.jessicaekhoff.com/.

Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.

He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.

Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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