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Perinatal mood and anxiety disorder can leave you feeling lost, alone, and confused by the symptoms. This is why it\u2019s so important that we hear personal stories of others that show us we are not alone.\nAlisa Pastecki is a Sales Executive for a network equipment and services provider that works with telecommunications companies all over the US and Canada. She lives in Batavia, NY--just outside of Buffalo--with her husband Doug, two-year-old daughter Gloria, and their dog Lily. The family spends as much time outdoors as possible, enjoying hiking and camping. After the birth of her daughter, Alisa suffered from postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD. She has since realized just how important it is to raise our voices in the fight against maternal health stigmas, and she wants to help normalize PMADs for moms in her community.\nShow Highlights:\n\nHow depression and OCD tendencies began for Alisa even before she was pregnant\n\nTrying to conceive, an endometriosis diagnosis, surgery, and plans for IVF\n\nAn unexpected pregnancy just in the nick of time led to insensitive comments by a nurse that escalated Alisa\u2019s anxiety about the pregnancy\n\nWith an easy pregnancy, Alisa\u2019s daughter was born full-term, but Alisa\u2019s anxiety kept escalating with the pressure of her doubt in second-guessing every decision\n\nMidwife and doula plans, induced labor, painful procedures, and a C-section\n\nWhat Alisa wishes she had done differently\n\nWhy Alisa had never been so scared before as she was during her C-section\n\nProblems with breastfeeding and weight loss for her baby\n\nHow Alisa felt about being constantly bombarded with a black and white approach to each obstacle she faced\n\nProblems with OCD, disconnected feelings, and anxiety in the first few postpartum weeks\n\nHow the anger and rage set in for Alisa and led to irrational fears about her daughter\n\nHow intrusive thoughts began around three months postpartum\n\nHow Alisa stumbled onto the PSI (Postpartum Support International) website and found helpful resources\n\nHow Alisa found a therapist who let her know that she would be OK; now, two years later, she is still working with that therapist who provided her the tools and meds to change her life\n\nThe difference that therapy and medications made in giving Alisa confidence as a new mom\n\nLessons learned for Alisa:\n\nMany medical practitioners aren\u2019t sufficiently educated on postpartum care, so you need to find a doctor who understands PMADs\n\nReach out to peers and a support group who will honestly open up about the bad and ugly of the postpartum experience\n\nBe vocal and help break the stigma around mental health issues\n\nResources:\nAlisa Pastecki