SarahSantos

Sarah Santos is a married chiropractor living in Idaho. She had a daughter in November 2019. Despite fantastic support systems, she still found herself suffering from severe insomnia, a lack of appetite, a lack of a bond with her baby, anxiety, depression, OCD, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and eventually, thoughts (and intent/acts) of suicide. Due to the severity of these symptoms, she chose to place herself inpatient and receive the Zulresso infusion; and then continue with medication management and therapy upon release from the hospital. Her site exists to raise awareness to the number one complication of childbirth: perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs); to stress the importance to providers of all types that treat women in their child-bearing years to know the signs and symptoms that they should be aware of and to be an ally for new mothers; to advocate for easier access to treatment as it truly took a team for Sarah to get care and that shouldn’t be the case; and for women to know that they shouldn’t feel any shame or guilt when asking for help. Women don’t ask for this. Never would a Mama want motherhood to look this way. But unfortunately it happens fairly frequently. However, there are great treatment options available that can help Moms get better! Please check out the “Resources” page as well as Sarah’s blog for more information, and reach out anytime.

Precipice

March 19, 2023March 19, 2023 by SarahSantos

Trigger Warning: discussion of suicidality, hospitalization This journey is hard, guys. Really hard. And it is long. Perhaps a lifetime. Probably my entire lifetime. I wish there was a reason as to why some of us have chronic illnesses and struggles. I suppose, objectively, that the honor of living also carries the risk of suffering. … Read morePrecipice

TMS and “The Dip”

October 13, 2022October 13, 2022 by SarahSantos

What the heck is “the dip”? This is one of those things I wish I knew about before starting TMS. Not because it would have changed my mind on trying this treatment, but because I would have known to really keep an eye out and manage expectations. Thankfully, I did come across information about it … Read moreTMS and “The Dip”

NAD and Ketamine Infusions

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 by SarahSantos

NAD and ketamine infusions were a nightmare for me. They were horrific to endure and did not give any of the intended, and desired, results. For many, both of these treatments provide great relief from symptoms of severe depression. Finding stories from patients that did not have a positive experience is nearly impossible, which is … Read moreNAD and Ketamine Infusions

Suicidality and Me: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

August 17, 2022August 17, 2022 by SarahSantos

It has been a long hiatus – but I am back! If you are new to my blog, and jumping into the middle of the story, please allow me to start over. And also, welcome. Your thoughts are safe here. If you have been reading for a while, or even intermittently over the last couple … Read moreSuicidality and Me: Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Valentine/Freedom/Our King

February 15, 2022February 15, 2022 by SarahSantos

The King wants to be your Valentine. Do you believe this? Do you accept His love? Let me chat with you for a minute. Valentine’s Day can be full of so many different emotions for people in all walks of life. For me, it was never really a thing. I always called it the “Hallmark … Read moreValentine/Freedom/Our King

The God That Saves

February 15, 2022February 12, 2022 by SarahSantos

As I sat down to write this, this beautiful song comes on the radio. I hadn’t ever heard it before, but I tuned in at the following part: You are that God that saves You are the One that rescues me And You rescue me, ohh-oh You are the God that saves And You called … Read moreThe God That Saves

Two Years: Signing Myself into a Psychiatric Unit

January 30, 2022January 30, 2022 by SarahSantos

Two years. Two years since we landed in Charlotte, North Carolina and drove to Chapel Hill. Two years since we pulled into the parking garage and I had to swallow the bile rising in my throat. Two years since I followed through on my promise to God (forcing myself out of the vehicle), that if … Read moreTwo Years: Signing Myself into a Psychiatric Unit

OCD Ramblings: The One

January 27, 2022January 26, 2022 by SarahSantos

Let me preface this by saying that this first part will likely seem just as the title implies; however, if you can stick it through, I promise there is meaning! I have struggled with OCD my entire life. Not necessarily compulsions, though there has been a bit of that. But the obsessions have always … Read moreOCD Ramblings: The One

Embers

January 17, 2022January 17, 2022 by SarahSantos

Well, here we are again… Coming up on an anniversary of such darkness in my journey. And I have been dreading it. Truly dreading it. But as I sit here pondering the upcoming day, I am filled with peace. I realize that what felt like debilitating darkness, ended up ushering in the greatest light I … Read moreEmbers

Isolation

February 13, 2022October 31, 2021 by SarahSantos

Who am I? If you had asked me that question four years ago, the answer would have been something along the lines of: “I am a chiropractor, wife, and dog Mom. I am fiercely independent. I am an Auntie, a sister, and a daughter.” Enter trauma: health concerns take me away from my career and … Read moreIsolation