Dr Caroline Boyd, a specialist in maternal anxiety and anger returns to the PANDAS Foundation Podcast to raise one of the most common and least openly-discussed aspects of the perinatal experience: unwanted intrusive thoughts.

Unwanted intrusive thoughts fly in the face of societal norms and can leave us feeling horrified, distressed and ashamed. So how are they a useful part of our mind’s natural coping mechanism and how can we learn to accept and manage them?

Whether they’re images or words, these kinds of thoughts are more likely to occur when we’re feeling stressed and are our mind’s way of helping us be more vigilant to threat, so it’s no wonder they’re a common aspect of parenthood.

But that doesn’t make it any less upsetting when they arise. But recognising that these thoughts are outside of your usual thinking is key.

So does having these kinds of unwanted images or thoughts mean that you pose a risk to your baby? Actually, the latest findings suggest that the more horrified you are by your thoughts, the less likely you are to act on them.

Caroline explores the spectrum of obsessive, compulsive thoughts that include unwanted intrusive thoughts and their relationship to trauma. She also shares her advice on how to interpret and respond to them when they arise.

If unwanted intrusive thoughts are interfering with daily life, help is available and this is very treatable. Reach out your GP, to PANDAS and speak with supportive friends and loved ones to start your recovery.

You can reach Caroline at drcarolineboyd.com or via Instagram @_drboyd.

Caroline offers anger courses for mothers: https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/maternal-rage-sign-up

Unwanted intrusive thoughts are distinct from the unwanted thoughts associated with postpartum psychosis. Signs of postpartum psychosis can include mania, delusions and hallucinations and you can find more information about this here.

It’s important to seek help immediately if you are making plans to hurt yourself or your baby. Call 999 or visit your local A&E.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren didn’t think she was mentally ill. But she had planned to end her life, feeling like a failure and burden upon her family. She was suffering from severe postnatal depression after the birth of her daughter and a challenging pregnancy, but fortunately her family and the health services intervened in time. The date she had chosen came and went, and day by day she learned how to manage parenthood as she healed. She returned to work and fell in love with her daughter.

In this powerful episode, PANDAS staff member Lauren shares her experience of being victim to the cruellest form of mental illness as well as her escape to recovery. She turned her challenging experiences into positivity at PANDAS by working towards the recovery of every parent, deepening her relationships and experiencing a love for her family she never thought she would see.

It is possible to return from rock bottom and we hope Lauren’s story will inspire you.

If like Lauren you have questions about use of medicines in pregnancy, speak with your GP and look at the BUMPs website.

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org

Find out more about PANDAS support groups on this link:

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/how-we-can-support-you/support-groups/

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faye is one of PANDAS incredible volunteers, and her connection to the charity is personal.

After months of research, big decisions, uncertainty and longing, Faye and Jane finally became parents to their son through IVF. This was the beginning of their adventure into parenthood, but the strain of hormone treatments, endless scans and a global pandemic had meant the conception and pregnancy journey had been a strain on Faye’s mental health. Jane on the other hand, was facing her own journey of returning to work soon after maternity leave and forging a bond with her baby as his non-biological mum. Add to this the cultural and social experience of being a two-mum family in a home counties town and they had more than their fair share of challenges to face.

Hear how Faye and Jane overcame perinatal anxiety and mental health struggles to forge a stronger relationship with each other, their support networks and their beautiful son. They share their insights into conception, birth and beyond.

You can follow Faye on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mummyandothermummy/

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Dr Krystal Wilkinson is an advocate for change in the workplace after her own experiences of perinatal mental health opened her eyes to the value of supporting employees and employers for a positive transition.

Krystal shares her experiences of depression and how a supportive work environment helped her build back her confidence and recover. This inspired her work focussing on women’s reproductive and mental health in the workplace. She tells us about the report she received and the benchmarks of standards all employers should be setting for their teams.

She also discusses the misconceptions around Keeping in Touch or ‘KIT’ days and shares her thoughts on planning a successful return to work after parental leave.

You can find download PANDAS HR toolkit here:

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/hr-toolkit/

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A semi-professional footballer, café owner and the actor you’ll know from Corrie and House of the Dragon – @theJamie Kenna is no stranger to huge achievements, but finding his feet as a dad was his biggest challenge yet.

Jamie opens up to Sally about the struggle of being a ‘blokey bloke’, unaware of how to reach out and find help as he faced up to his mental health struggle as a parent.

He shares how what he learned has helped him forge stronger relationships, manage the pressures of daily life and champion men’s mental health today.

They discuss anxiety and panic attacks as well as the stigmas, challenges and strains that parenting can have on a man's mental health and how talking can be the first step in recovery.

You can find the PANDAS Dad’s Closed Facebook Group here

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did one woman use her perinatal mental illness to pivot her mum community and help thousands of people and address disparities in care for diverse communities?

Christina Brown discovered she was expecting her second child on maternity leave. With a distressing experience and two little ones to care for, she struggled with her mental health. After feeling let down by services, she turned to her own online community to discuss mental health and the Motivational Mums Club embarked on a new mission.

In this episode Chrissy opens up about her journey creating a support group empowering mothers and birthing people to make better choices and advocate for themselves. She shares her personal journey as a mother, and she and Sally discuss issues around racism, intersectionality and the disparities in healthcare still sadly affecting parents today.

You can find out more about Chrissy and the Motivational Mums Club on the links below.

https://www.motivationalmumsclub.co.uk/

Facebook and Instagram @motivationalmumsclub

Twitter @mmumsclub

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sally Bunkham oversees PANDAS communications and is the voice behind all of our social media posts. She also suffered with maternal rage after the birth of her second child.

In this episode, Dr Caroline Boyd, @_drboyd PANDAS Ambassador, mum of two and clinical psychologist, chats with Sally about this common and yet often stigmatised aspect of parenthood: anger.

They discuss the shame that can be experienced around this emotion although research states as many as one in three women experience intense anger in the first year postpartum. And how this relates to the support we receive and the expectations we and society place upon ourselves as parents.

Hear how Sally worked through her perinatal mental health adversity with two under two, to found a business and carve a new path that helps so many others today.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 111 6123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

You can reach Caroline at drcarolineboyd.com or via Instagram @_drboyd

Caroline offers anger courses for mothers:

https://drcarolineboyd.com/anger-course-waitlist

Caroline’s book, Mindful New Mum: A Mind-Body Approach to the Highs and Lows of Motherhood, is available to buy online Amazon, Waterstones or Bookshop

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Sally Bunkham and Annie Belasco. Sally and Annie work for PANDAS and have both had lived experience of perinatal mental health struggle and recovery.

In this episode Sally interviews Annie, Head of Charity about her very personal journey as a cancer survivor, through prenatal anxiety and depression, to a future that saw her rebirthing the UK’s leading perinatal mental health charity.

Annie describes her battle with hyperemesis gravidarum as well as intrusive thoughts, anxiety and depression, which she struggled to articulate. She explains how discovering PANDAS in her second pregnancy brought her the understanding and support she needed to recover and shares her advice for parents in a similar situations.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PANDAS Foundation - Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support - helps people with their mental health at an early intervention stage - that's any time from conception through to birth and beyond.

In this podcast series, coming on 15th July 2024, Sally Bunkham and Annie Belasco offer hope for parents struggling with mental health. Like many of the staff and volunteers at the charity they've experienced - and overcome - perinatal health struggles and want to support others through theirs.

Parenthood can be great. It can also be a lonely time with many challenges and changes. That's why we're making this podcast - so that wherever you are and whatever has brought you here, you know that you're not alone. If you're experiencing some frightening thoughts and feelings, or someone you love is suffering. We're here to reassure you that help and recovery is possible and we will have many examples of this that we hope will inspire you.

Some of the topics we'll talk about in this series might be familiar to you. But others could be new. Perinatal mental health is diverse and includes conditions like low mood, anxiety, pre and post natal depression, maternal OCD, intrusive thoughts and so on. However alone you might feel now, we want you to know that we are there to support you.

We hope that this podcast and our charity as a whole will help you find the information and support to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel for you and your family.

When PANDAS as a charity talks about perinatal mental health, we have no cut off points or rules about when you can or can't reach out for support with us as a parent or a carer. We provide free support every day via our helpline, whatsapp and email services and our online and offline peer to peer support groups. 

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

This podcast may and will include from time-to-time themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness, themes may include, suicide, baby loss, self-harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics.

If you urgently need help if you are in mental health crisis, please the Samaritans on 116123 or the emergency services. Via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioners' guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.