Today's structure free episode touches on a mental health update from Bethany as well as Lo's adventure to the big blue store and so much more. This is what mental health conversations look like!

This episode is a review of Lauren's favorite books as of early 2024. From meditation to mushrooms, you'll hear about how these books helped transform her outlook on life, mental health, mushrooms, spirituality and more. And as always, we'll be taking a few side track story times.

For reference on "Grace!" please join us in episode 3. Coming much sooner than episode 2.

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Our website: www.thiscouldgetdark.com

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We're back and so excited! Come catch up with Bethany and Lauren on what they've been up to in the two+ year hiatus. Hear how they've been growing and healing, and what the future holds for This Could Get Dark!

We want to hear from you!

Support us and get exclusive content at: www.buymeacoffee.com/thiscouldgetdark

Our website: www.thiscouldgetdark.com

Socials: @thiscouldgetdark

In the season 1 finale Lauren and Bethany are joined by a special guest, Brice, to share the story of his son Greyson. He graciously shares the male's perspective of miscarriage, child loss and how he and his family grieved, healed and honor their son. 

Resources 

 Hopeful Hearts Support Organization: http://www.3hopefulhearts.com 

Postpartum Mental Health Help for Dads: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/help-for-dads/ 

Postpartum Healthline: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) 

Loss and Grief in Pregnancy and Postpartum Support: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/loss-grief-in-pregnancy-postpartum/

Bethany explains, in more detail than ever before, the trauma of her daughter's birth and her struggle with postpartum depression.

Resources: EPDS Test - https://psychology-tools.com/epds/ 

PPD HelpLine - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline 

Prenatal Depression Information - https://www.beaumont.org/conditions/prenatal-depression 

Baby Blues Information - https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/first-year-of-life/baby-blues-71032/ 

Depression during and after pregnancy information from the CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/features/maternal-depression/index.html

Mom's Mental Health matters - https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/moms

Postpartum support international - https://www.postpartum.net/ 

Call the PSI HelpLine:

1-800-944-4773

In this week's episode, we hear Bethany's PTSD diagnosis and the specific therapy that has helped her through.

*TRIGGER WARNING: Sensitive Content

Book: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

Website: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd

*Click here to see Bethany's Documents*

This week we dive into Lauren and Bethany's shared diagnosis of bipolar. Lauren then blows Bethany's mind with some facts revolving around the advancement in the diagnosis.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

800-273-8255

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance 

https://www.dbsalliance.org/

WebMD Bipolar Disorder

https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-forms

In our final episode of the Genogram and Shadow Work MiniSode Series, Bethany explains what a worth exercize is and tells us how hers went. Everyone cries and Mister joins for a bit.

Recommended Shadow Work Journal: https://www.etsy.com/listing/982950913/illuminare-shadow-work-workbookjournal

Lauren and Bethany are joined by a special guest to talk though functional medicine as an alternative to psychiatric medications.

Mark Hyman

https://drhyman.com/brokenbrain/

https://www.amazon.com/Food-Recipes-Pegan-Gluten-free-Dairy-free-More/dp/0316453137/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=mark+hyman&qid=1619406912&s=books&sr=1-5

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IICN1F8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Vagus Nerve 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus_nerve#:~:text=The%20vagus%20nerve%2C%20historically%20cited,referred%20to%20in%20the%20singular.

In today's episode, Lauren makes an announcement about her mental health journey and explains her decision.

Fault Lines by Karl Pillemer: https://www.amazon.com/Fault-Lines-Fractured-Families-Mend/dp/0525539034

Adult Children of the Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson PsyD: https://www.amazon.com/Adult-Children-Emotionally-Immature-Parents/dp/B01F2L1HLM

You're Not Crazy - It's Your Mother by Danu Morrigan: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Not-Crazy-Understanding-Narcissistic/dp/B074JKZBZM

Recommended Shadow Work Journal: https://www.etsy.com/listing/982950913/illuminare-shadow-work-workbookjournal