Pictured above: Samantha Singer, program participant, receives support for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Two days after delivering her daughter, Samantha Singer realized she might be experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression.
"My husband went home to care for our cats, and I spent the whole time crying," she remembers. That was the first time Singer felt like something was off. She feared being home alone, which worsened when her husband returned to work and was away for several hours a day. The sadness continued, and her anxiety grew.
“I felt worried about not holding her correctly or putting her in a car seat. I was afraid someone might drop her, so I never let anyone help me, and when we drove, I was afraid we’d have a car accident and one or both of us would die,” says Singer.
Singer worried she would not be a good enough mother. In the rare times she would take the most basic care of herself—eating, showering or changing her clothes—she experienced intense guilt. She began harming herself and even questioned if she wanted to live.
“I would change, feed and put her down for a nap. She was doing all the right things, and so was I. I was putting on a smile for everyone else,” says Singer.
Although Singer had been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in the past, she knew this was very different. She took the brave step of reaching out for help. She met with a psychiatrist specializing in postpartum mood disorders who encouraged her to join a new group therapy program: the MedStar Health Mother-Baby Intensive Outpatient Program.
“The program is designed to support pregnant people and new mothers in psychiatric crisis and prevent the need for higher levels of care, such as hospitalization,” says Aimee Danielson, PhD, the founder and director of the Women’s Mental Health Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
During the core 12-week program, eight pairs of mothers and babies meet for group therapy three times per week for three and a half hours. Individual therapy sessions and consultation with a psychiatrist are offered each week. Mothers can participate for additional time, continue their care with the MedStar Health team of mental health professionals, and connect to resources for food, formula, safe housing, or transportation.
“The program is unique as it encourages mothers and birthing people to receive treatment with their baby,” explains Aimee. “They can get treatment and necessary care while protecting and preserving that relationship. They can learn how to care for themselves in the context of also caring for their child.”
Some participants had been hospitalized prior to joining the program, requiring them to spend time away from their baby, which can be heartbreaking to new parents. In Singer's case, hospitalization was considered a likely treatment option before joining the program, as she continued to self-harm, and physicians had not determined an effective medication. Avoiding hospitalization and the emotional pain of being away from her daughter was a key motivator, and the sense of community persuaded her to keep coming back.
During group sessions, mothers with older children shared their experiences, and the program leaders helped Singer build confidence and gain independence while caring for her daughter.
“It's important that you have people going through the same thing, especially people who saw you at your worst,” says Singer.
When other moms told her they could see how her mood and behavior were changing, it inspired her to keep pushing forward with her recovery.
“I felt heard and cared for,” says Singer.
Aimee says that she and her mental health care team strive to achieve exactly that goal.
“Oftentimes, they feel invisible once they have their baby. This program is built to show them how important they are,” says Aimee.
“Healthy families are the foundation of our community.”
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