Project Description
Maternal Mental Health
Becoming a mum can be the hardest thing you will ever do. Motherhood is something you want to do perfectly yet you will often feel you have very little control over anything. Sometimes things do not go as you have planned and this causes you to feel overwhelmed and inadequate. You may start to compare yourself to others who appear to ‘have everything under control’. You may start to become very anxious about every little thing related to your baby and second guess yourself constantly. You may be excessively tearful, not able to fall asleep and constantly worry that something bad will happen to your baby.
People may experience:
Feelings of shame, guilt and inadequacy
Severe mood swings, hopelessness, intense irritability or anger, paranoia and excessive worrying
Difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawal from family and friends
Overwhelming fatigue, inability to sleep even when the baby is sleeping, confusion and disorientation
Deep sense of sadness, crying spells and lack of joy in life
Our Approach
With my time spent working in the maternal Mental Health Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital as well as my own personal experience with postnatal anxiety and depression, I consider myself an expert in this field. I work together with the family, midwives, obstetrician, paediatrician and therapist in order to maximize the support around you and your baby. Sometimes the reassurance from myself, the team and the extra support provided may be enough for you. In other cases, medication may be necessary. I take into account the pregnancy or breastfeeding and the possible risks and benefits to baby and mum.
TESTIMONIAL
Dr Comrie and her practice are delightful, kind, compassionate and loving.
I have been a patient of Dr Comrie since 2016 when she correctly diagnosed me (something my previous physiatrists hadn’t been able to do). I see Dr Comrie on a monthly bases to manage my illness. She is very caring and open to my input. I have overcome so much since I started seeing her over two years ago. It’s pleasant visiting the practice. Dr Comrie’s receptionist, Berri, is very upbeat and efficient and the practice is comfortable and clean. You can often spot squirrels from Dr Comrie’s consulting room 😉
Dr Comrie has been treating me as a psychological patient since 2011. From the age of 35, I had been seen by at least 12 different psychiatrists to no avail. Within a half an hour of seeing Laura she diagnosed me. Although there have been additional issues since then. Laura has stood by me through this and then made numerous attempts to involve my family in helping find solutions. Laura has always made me feel, we’ll get through this all be it one day at a time. Her staff have always been kind and helpful, a huge plus when receiving treatment that requires a lot of patience. Not only did or does Laura treat me psychiatrically, Laura goes the full hog to ensure all my medical needs are met and resolved. Even in my new marriage relationship, Laura has been the stalwart guiding us the way. I am grateful to have such a professional, caring, empathetic Psychiatrist to help me learn to live life on life’s terms. Laura you have saved my life and made life livable on many occasions. I am very appreciative of your ever special support and therapy. I don’t have the words to express how grateful and indebted I am.
I had my first consultation with Dr Laura Comrie in June 2017. I was referred to Dr Comrie by my specialist physician as I was suffering from depression and anxiety. Laura initially set about getting my medication correct for the symptoms I was experiencing. With time she has adjusted my medication to suit my changing circumstances and state of mind. From my first session, I found Laura to be a caring, empathetic, non-judgemental, warm, understanding and trustworthy support. I feel like I am in touch with myself again as Laura has helped me to reconnect with the real me. I now continue with a monthly session with Laura and look forward to the wisdom she continues to bring to my life. I can highly recommend Dr Comrie for anyone who is suffering from anxiety and depression.
I cancelled my first appointment with Dr Comrie because I didn’t think my problem was bad enough to need a psychiatrist. A few months later, I made another appointment. I considered cancelling again. Going to that appointment is one of the best decisions I have ever made. My only regret is that I hadn’t made it 10 years earlier.
Dr Comrie is one amazing, awesome, accommodating, high-spirited doctor. She is so very humane. I love her all around the world and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.