367: Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and Navigating Motherhood’s Unpredictable Path with Susanna Peace Lovell

When the uncertainty of motherhood is combined with caring for a special needs child, the demands can be overwhelming. Today’s guest shares what it’s like to mother a special needs child and fight through postpartum anxiety and depression to find healing. Join us! Susanna Peace Lovell received her B.A. from UC Berkeley. She is an author, speaker, disability rights advocate, and certified professional life coach dedicated to the health and wellness of families everywhere affected by a disability. Raising a teenage daughter with a myriad of disabilities and diagnoses, including ASD (autism spectrum disorder), ADHD, anxiety, and severe food allergies has been Susanna’s lived experience as a mother. She has overcome many ups and downs in her journey, including a debilitating episode with postpartum anxiety and depression. Through her journey of navigating the worry and heartbreak in raising a special needs child, Susanna found her true life calling to help other parents find more joy and passion in their lives.  Show Highlights: The beginning of Susanna’s motherhood story Pregnancy was the first time Susanna felt that her life was out of control. Susanna’s life and work today as the mother of an 18-year-old with multiple diagnoses and neurodivergence Susanna’s experience with postpartum depression and anxiety—and how she knew it was happening Sleeplessness and compounding fears about sleeplessness that led to a zombie-like state The long process of learning to ask for help and finding what worked for her Cultural factors for Susanna as a Taiwanese American that led her to feel pressured to “do it all” Cultivating a toolbox of resources to help Susanna’s experience in dealing with “unexpected mourning and tiny flickers of joy” Leaning into self-care in proactive ways Finding support for herself and her daughter Learning to be kind to herself with a “this is FOR me” attitude Susanna’s hidden blessings of being able to show up for others Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough: why she wrote it and what she hopes to accomplish Resources: Connect with Susanna Peace Lovell: Website, Instagram, and Your True Self is Enough 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 a better support 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!