Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Aug 8, 2012 at 2:23 pm

My wife went from a seemingly normal individual to bipolar/manic over the course of about 1 week after having our baby. We ended up at the emergency room at El Camino and she was admitted to the mental health unit where she was introduced to Dr. Dhami and the rest of their group. I cannot say enough about how they treated and help my wife (and me). This was the most disturbing time in either of our lives. My wife made it through and was able to return to being herself after about 6 months or so. 3 years later, I've never really gone back to thank that group of people at El Camino. Perhaps i will now. :)

Posted by Jeanne Batacan, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Aug 9, 2012 at 12:49 pm

I am concerned about the issue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by our current (standard) medical model of care. There is a growing and alarming rise in iatrogenic PSTD related to childbirth and the typical care she receives (which according to research is sub-optimal).

There may be a conflict of interest involved when a hospital, that may be the source of a woman's disorder, tries to treat it.

It seems to me that the powers that be would discourage the therapists from addressing the issue due to potential liability issues.

I know from experience that this is true for the vast majority of hospital based childbirth education programs. Most instructors are

denied autonomy to teach mother-friendly, evidence-based courses because the hospital practice is not aligned.

If autonomy is not ASSURED in a treatment program, I believe the patient would be better off in a private non-affiliated center with therapists knowledgeable in treating childbirth related PSTD.