Cohasset —
A Cohasset native has been invited to present her research at an international health conference in London in March. But, this women’s health advocate is not a doctor or a medical professional.
Sheila Sullivan, currently of Hull, is simply a passionate woman looking to change the way the medical community and women themselves are diagnosed and treated. Her focus, which was generated in part from her own personal experiences, is postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
For the past 10 years, Sullivan has spent hundreds of hours conducting independent research to uncover the cause of postpartum depression. She’s read over 500 books written by medical professionals, visited hundreds of websites, had conversations with dozens of medical authors and experts and spoke to hundreds of women everywhere she goes.
As someone who has done the research and had personal experience she believes she has come to a profound understanding of the condition and its causes.
The First World Congress of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology is scheduled for mid-March and has given her the opportunity to present her research in an oral presentation. Sullivan, who has recently gone back to college to pursue an associate’s degree in Natural Sciences, is looking to raise money to get to London for the conference.
“It’s my greatest hope that this will begin a much needed change in the backward thinking regarding postpartum depression and psychosis,” Sullivan said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for me…I hope in going to the conference I find psychologists like thinking and support for my cause.”
In her research paper, she argues that there is a strong connection between hormonal imbalances and female brain. Specifically, she looks at the inter-relation between hormonal imbalance, trauma and memory. She also advocates for the use of base line hormone levels to be used as a first line diagnostic tool in the onset of postpartum depression and psychosis.
“Because of a lack of research (in this area) women are suffering unnecessarily,” Sullivan said. “(I want) to bring a new understanding that lead to the proper treatment of women experiencing these conditions.”
For several years Sullivan has written a blog on her research and thoughts
(http://www.postpartumawareness.com/).
“I feel the most effective way to reach women in this country is to speak at women’s events and by speaking to young women in college and high school,” said Sullivan, adding she is concerned working class and poor women are not getting the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and treatment.
“The perception of these conditions (postpartum depression and psychosis) being mental illnesses needs to change, as this prevents many women from seeking out help they need because of fear of losing their babies,” said Sullivan.
“This can be a lonely road sometimes as I am the only women in the country that is advocating for the kind of changes and bring a new understanding to these conditions,” Sullivan said.
To find out more about Sullivan and her research, visit http://www.postpartumawareness.com/
Sheila Sullivan, currently of Hull, is simply a passionate woman looking to change the way the medical community and women themselves are diagnosed and treated. Her focus, which was generated in part from her own personal experiences, is postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
For the past 10 years, Sullivan has spent hundreds of hours conducting independent research to uncover the cause of postpartum depression. She’s read over 500 books written by medical professionals, visited hundreds of websites, had conversations with dozens of medical authors and experts and spoke to hundreds of women everywhere she goes.
As someone who has done the research and had personal experience she believes she has come to a profound understanding of the condition and its causes.
The First World Congress of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology is scheduled for mid-March and has given her the opportunity to present her research in an oral presentation. Sullivan, who has recently gone back to college to pursue an associate’s degree in Natural Sciences, is looking to raise money to get to London for the conference.
“It’s my greatest hope that this will begin a much needed change in the backward thinking regarding postpartum depression and psychosis,” Sullivan said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for me…I hope in going to the conference I find psychologists like thinking and support for my cause.”
In her research paper, she argues that there is a strong connection between hormonal imbalances and female brain. Specifically, she looks at the inter-relation between hormonal imbalance, trauma and memory. She also advocates for the use of base line hormone levels to be used as a first line diagnostic tool in the onset of postpartum depression and psychosis.
“Because of a lack of research (in this area) women are suffering unnecessarily,” Sullivan said. “(I want) to bring a new understanding that lead to the proper treatment of women experiencing these conditions.”
For several years Sullivan has written a blog on her research and thoughts
(http://www.postpartumawareness.com/).
“I feel the most effective way to reach women in this country is to speak at women’s events and by speaking to young women in college and high school,” said Sullivan, adding she is concerned working class and poor women are not getting the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and treatment.
“The perception of these conditions (postpartum depression and psychosis) being mental illnesses needs to change, as this prevents many women from seeking out help they need because of fear of losing their babies,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan believes, and cites medical research, postpartum depression can be effectively treated with 17 Beta Estradiol, the main estrogen women produce from puberty to post menopause. There are currently physicians and compounding pharmacies treating postpartum depression with these bioidentical hormones. Her ultimate hope is more doctors and the medical community as a whole will begin to recognize the effectiveness of this treatment method.
“It’s an incredible honor to be invited. It just goes to show if you believe in yourself and believe in what your body and mind are telling you then you can find truth in healing. When I started this research 10 years ago I never thought I’d be here. It’s been a journey,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan will continue to network with medical professionals and women’s health advocacy groups to see that changes are made. “This can be a lonely road sometimes as I am the only women in the country that is advocating for the kind of changes and bring a new understanding to these conditions,” Sullivan said.
To find out more about Sullivan and her research, visit http://www.postpartumawareness.com/
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment