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.

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

First Flight

September 25, 2021September 25, 2021 by SarahSantos

Okay, I confess, this is not about the first flight I ever took. But this is about the first flight I took with my husband and daughter where I not only felt like her Mom, but my mind also wasn’t calculating all the different ways I could take my life while aboard the plane. Prior … Read moreFirst Flight

Sitting in His Presence

September 25, 2021August 24, 2021 by SarahSantos

I have so much I want, and need, to share with you all. I disappeared again. But life got really, really crazy. And a lot of it has been super positive; I have gotten to enjoy tons of fun times with Olivia that I am so grateful for. I fully intend to backtrack in future … Read moreSitting in His Presence

Sometimes I Get Ready

March 10, 2021March 10, 2021 by SarahSantos

I took this photo a couple weeks ago as I was heading out to dinner with friends. After taking a bunch to get that perfect angle where you don’t look so old and tired (let’s be honest!), an acceptable one came about. My thought was that I would put it up on social media after … Read moreSometimes I Get Ready

Everything is Overwhelming

February 23, 2021February 23, 2021 by SarahSantos

Life can just be so overwhelming sometimes. And for those of us enduring mental illness, those moments become this struggle in your mind: is what I am feeling normal? Or am I having thoughts indicative of backsliding? I suppose that is normal to be afraid of going back to where I was dragged out of. … Read moreEverything is Overwhelming

One Year Later

February 15, 2021February 14, 2021 by SarahSantos

Let me preface this by saying that this post should probably have chapters. It is quite long and I apologize in advance. I have been away for a little while and not writing. The first few weeks were because of covid and pneumonia. I was honestly just too sick and exhausted to put my thoughts … Read moreOne Year Later