Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster Fire

Postpartum Isn’t Just “Baby Blues”: The Neurodivergent Edition

Maria Ingalla & Tabitha Arey Season 2 Episode 8

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In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha unpack the hormonal chaos of pregnancy and postpartum through a neurodivergent lens. They explore what happens to neurotransmitters during pregnancy, why postpartum can feel like a neurochemical ambush, and how ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence intersect with hormonal shifts.

The episode also addresses medication management during pregnancy, the emotional and hormonal aftermath of miscarriage, and the long-term changes many people experience for years after giving birth. Maria and Tabitha highlight the importance of supportive providers, evidence-based guidance, and compassionate community care.

Whether you are pregnant, postpartum, navigating loss, or supporting someone through it, this episode offers validation, clarity, and practical tools grounded in clinical experience.

Key Topics Covered:
• How pregnancy hormones reshape mental health
• Why postpartum depression is common and often overlooked
• The unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face postpartum
• ADHD and hormonal fluctuations
• Medication safety and management during pregnancy
• Miscarriage and the neurochemical fallout
• The long game of hormonal change
• Finding providers who understand both hormones and neurodivergence
• Support systems and community resources, including PSI

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