Barbara Decker

“I saw insects crawling in my food. My baby’s head was distorted. I couldn’t see people who were in the same room as me. And even on beautiful afternoon walks, I was seized by an overwhelming, unwanted compulsion to throw myself and my baby into oncoming traffic,”

Barbara Decker · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Dr. Barbara Decker described the severe intrusive thoughts she experienced after childbirth in an op-ed.

“I'll be very frank. At the time, I was at a health care system where I was initially very scared to speak up,”

Barbara Decker · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Dr. Barbara Decker discussed her initial fear of speaking up about postpartum mental health in a hospital setting.

“I became detached from reality, terrified of what I might do to my baby and myself.”

Barbara Decker · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Dr. Barbara Decker wrote about becoming detached from reality due to postpartum psychosis.

“Physicians are not immune to any of this.”

Barbara Decker · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Dr. Barbara Decker pointed out that physicians can also suffer from maternal mental health disorders.