214: Owning Your Story and Surviving Postpartum Psychosis with Ayana Lage
In this episode, I sit down with Ayana Lage to discuss her experience with postpartum psychosis, from how her symptoms began to develop after giving birth; to what led to her commitment to a psychiatric ward; to how she made a full recovery and emerged empowered about her story. Ayana shares what her relationship with her mental health was before and during her pregnancy, why the line between postpartum exhaustion and postpartum depression is so confusing, and what it felt like in the throes of her psychosis. She talks about what it was like within the psychiatric ward, how she experienced PTSD after her experience, what she hopes others take away from her experience and own about their postpartum stories, and much more. Thank you to Ayana for being so vulnerable and brave and reminding us that we are never alone, whatever our mental health experiences have been.
Key Takeaway / Points:
On the process of choosing to publicly share her experience with postpartum psychosis
Ayana’s relationship with her mental health before and during her pregnancy
The confusing line between postpartum exhaustion and postpartum depression
How Ayana felt immediately after giving birth and how her postpartum psychosis progressed
How it felt to experience delusions and what led to her commitment to a psychiatric ward
Ayana’s experience within the psychiatric ward
How Ayana began her recovery, the PTSD she experienced afterwards, and how she plans to prepare for another pregnancy in the future
On what she hopes others take away from her experience
On overcoming shame about her experience and embracing her story
On how being a black woman affected Ayana’s overall medical experience
How Ayana feels more empowered now from her experience
Listen to my conversation with FF Fam member, Michelle, on postpartum depression here
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
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