Welcome to my podcast, Our Extraordinary Stories

My name is Dr Devika Patel I am a junior doctor working in the NHS specialising in psychiatry, which means I work with people who need support and treatment for severe mental illnesses.

In this podcast, I explore people’s personal stories from along the spectrum of severe mental illness all the way to a state of human flourishing. Too often, these are seen as separate conversations when I see them as part of one spectrum. For example, today I might be living my highest purpose, practising as a doctor, and in a few months, I may be a patient mental illness requiring treatment.

As I'm currently on maternity leave I have had limited time to interview guests I have decided to do some solo podcasts.

As it is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week I decided to reflect on my pregnancy, birth and postpartum period- acknowledging the highs and the lows. I also discuss some mental illnesses that can occur in the perinatal period and briefly touch on the support available.

Connect with me on Instagram @drdevikapatel

Here are some links for further support:

https://www.app-network.org/ Action on  Postpartum Psychosis
https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/ Post natal depression awareness and support
https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/ Support for traumatic birth
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/ Breastfeeding network
https://maternalocd.org/ Maternal OCD
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/about-maternal-mental-health-problems/ Perinatal mental health MIND episode