Leopold’s Lisa Quinney opens up on postnatal depression journey
A Leopold woman is looking to help other mums after she unknowingly battled postnatal depression for years while trying to find help.
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Isolation felt like a “thick fog” for Lisa Quinney after the birth of her second child.
The Leopold 36-year-old, who is mother to two girls aged eight and 11, unknowingly battled postnatal depression.
Symptoms included insomnia and fatigue, and she was racked with feelings of shame, guilt, anger and loneliness.
She had not experienced mental health issues before.
Her second daughter had been rushed to special care a few hours after being born, which Mrs Quinney described as traumatic, and also suffered silent reflux as a baby.
But Mrs Quinney said her GP didn’t think she had post-natal depression, and told her not to pick up her baby when she was screaming.
“It’s terrible looking back,” she said.
Mrs Quinney, who is from Germany, had also only been in Australia for a couple of years and did not have strong social networks, and her husband was working long hours.
She saw a psychologist, but said it did not help.
Mrs Quinney turned to meditation to help her sleep and then began looking for local psychologists who used eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing and neurofeedback therapy.
She connected with one whose help made “all the difference”.
Six years after the birth of her second daughter, the psychologist retrospectively diagnosed
Mrs Quinney with post-natal depression as well as PTSD symptoms.
“That made a lot of sense,” she said.
“That was six years of looking for help and support.
“We are not doing enough to support mothers in that space.
“I know so many mums are struggling.”
Mr Quinney had by that stage already started studying counselling.
She became qualified last year and specialises in the peri-natal space.
“If I can help just one person to not go through what I went through it makes sense,” she said.
She is starting Maternal Journal sessions on the Bellarine Peninsula to help foster connection among other new mums.
The initiative started in the UK in 2017.
Mums can join the Ocean Grove group at the Bellarine Training and Community Hub for guided journaling, creative expression through art and writing, honest conversations and shared experiences, and insights from Mrs Quinney.
She said the sessions “absolutely” could have helped her feelings of isolation during her struggles.
“When I found out about the program I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is brilliant’,” she said.
“I would have loved to go there and join a group of mothers who are vulnerable and open.”
The first Maternal Journal circle session will be on February 5 between 11.30am and 1pm.
It costs $40 per session.
For more information and to register visit www.walkwithlisa.com.au/maternaljournal
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Originally published as Leopold’s Lisa Quinney opens up on postnatal depression journey
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