Tuesday, June 23, 2009

July Hiatus

The Brooklyn PPD Support Group will be on a summer hiatus for the month of July. Our next meeting will take place at 7 pm on Monday, August 10 at Everyday Athlete, located at 136 Union Street, between Hicks and Columbia in Carroll Gardens. Please contact Chris or Molly at least 3 hours prior to the start of the meeting if you would like to attend.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Article about Medication and PPD

Treating PPD and related disorders with medication is a controversial subject. The decision to take medication to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety while pregnant or nursing is one that many mothers struggle with. Please click here to read an informative, brief editorial recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry about treating PPD with medication.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Upcoming Meetings

The Brooklyn PPD Support group meetings for June will be on Monday, June 8th at 7pm and Monday June 22nd at 7pm. Meetings are held at the Everyday Athlete, 136 Union Street between Columbia and Hicks streets (visit http://www.everydayathletestudio.com/ and click on "contact" for a map).

If you are interested in attending the group, please be sure to RSVP to Molly (mollyatperyerdotorg ; 917-549-6012) or Chris (motherthemother.chrisatyahoodotcom ; 917-771-6359) at least two hours prior to the start of the meeting.

The groups are free, confidential and last approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. Babies are welcome.
What Are PMADs?

PMADs have the following symptoms: insomnia, loss of appetite, nervousness/hypervigilance, frightening and/or suicidal thoughts, escape fantasies, feelings of worthlessness, anger, guilt, sadness/crying, grief, hopelessness, agitation, inability to concentrate, joylessness, sleeplessness/restlessness, appetite changes. You may experience one or some of these symptoms over a period of time.

Founded in 2006, Molly Coffin and Chris Lindsay-Abaire co-created the peer support they needed in their community. In Spring of 2014, Brooklyn PPD Support was joined by Melissa Paschke, LCSW. Melissa has been practicing medical social work since 1994. She is also a mother of two boys and a 500 hour+ certified yoga teacher. Melissa offers individual, partner and group therapies, crisis intervention, family support, health/wellness counseling, and yoga for the pre-natal and postpartum woman. She is a graduate of Yeshiva University, Wurzweiler School of Social Work and holds advanced clinical training certificates from the NYU Silver School of Social Work and Seleni Institute.

Please contact Melissa for information about group participation or individual and partner therapy.

See Melissa on Psychology Today: https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_detail.php?profid=293007&ref=8&sid=1511988653.5793_30722&zipcode=11231&tr=ResultsName

What is Brooklyn PPD Support?

If you are a pregnant or post-partum woman experiencing Stress, Depression, Anxiety, and/or other mood challenges, you are welcome to join this group. It is advised that you also reach out to your medical provider to be assessed for any psychopharmacological needs. Group can also be used as a complement to any private psychotherapy you may be receiving, or you may inquire about private therapy with Melissa Paschke, LCSW, in addition to Brooklyn PPD Support Groups.

Brooklyn PPD Support is currently offering groups by Zoom, as per COVID-19 restrictions. There is a suggested fee of $40 to attend. It is the primary intention of Brooklyn PPD Support to remove as many barriers to participation as possible, so if fees are preventing you from attending, please reach out to Melissa. You are encouraged to attend as many meetings as you wish. This is a closed group; Only women experiencing symptoms of PMADs will be allowed to participate. Graduate students, researchers and well-meaning partners may not sit in on meetings.

Emotional support from empathic listeners is one key part of expediting a woman's recovery from PMADs. This offering is a safe, confidential, nonjudgmental environment where women can share their experiences. Women in all stages of stress, illness and recovery are welcome. If you aren't sure or formally diagnosed with a PMAD, you are welcome. You are also welcome if your child is older, but you relate to the stressors described. We are women helping women to share, witness and support each others' experiences. This is a professionally facilitated group led by a licensed clinical social worker who will also offer appropriate referrals for any additional treatment or supportive services that may be needed.

Postpartum Support International's Universal Message:

You are not alone
This is not your fault
You will feel better