I’ve written in the past about what happens when mom is still singing the blues after we expect the baby blues to be gone. But after attending a recent panel discussion on identifying and assisting mothers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, I realized that resources for these moms are still slipping through their fingers. Only last year a mother suffering badly enough to need to be hospitalized went for months without learning about some of the excellent support available to families all over the Triangle. Because of that, I want to list some resources here. Working with someone who specializes in PMAD makes sense because of the sensitive nature of moms who may be breastfeeding or caring for a newborn. This is far from being a comprehensive list of resources and support in our area, but it’s certainly a good start.
The most important thing is that if you or someone you know is suffering from PMAD, get help, make a call, go to a meeting or get an appointment with a specialist. There is help!
Information and Assistance:
Free Support Groups:
Moms Supporting Moms - www.momssupportingmoms.net. They meet weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Rex Hospital in the Women’s Birth Center. They also have a “warm line” for moms who want to talk but can’t make it to the meeting. Messages are picked up twice a day. 919-454-6946
UNC Support Group for Moms with PMAD. They meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in the Family Medicine Building from 6:30-8 pm. 919-966-3115
Treatment and Assessment:
UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders in Chapel Hill
http://www.womensmooddisorders.org
919-966-5217
Provides assessment and treatment including counseling, medication and on-going support. They also manage the only inpatient perinatal psychiatry unit in the country. The unit provides specialty care for women suffering from severe perinatal psychiatric illness.
Chris Raines, nurse practitioner in psychiatry at UNC in Chapel Hill
(919) 966-3115
Dr. Rachel Feuer, clinical associate in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke in Durham
919-684-0102
Nancy Ciocci, MSW, licensed clinical social worker in Hillsborough, NC
919-245-0451
Dr. Amanda Dorn, psychiatrist with Family Psychiatry & Psychology Associates in Cary
919-233-4131
Dr. Susan Orenstein, Orenstein Solutions in Cary
http://www.orensteinsolutions.com/
919-428-2766
Dr. David Miller, psychiatrist in Wake Forest
919-593-6844
Pam Diamond is a parent coach, postpartum doula, baby sleep consultant and owner of First Daze & Nightzzz, LLC. Pam’s goal is to help parents and babies get off to the best possible start. She helps families fix what’s not working and enjoy what is. She lives in Cary with her husband and two teenage children. You can learn more about Pam on her website: First Daze & Nightzzz, or email her at pdiamond@firstdaze.com.
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