#72 – Unraveling & Undoing Postpartum Depression ** May 20, 2015
Guest // Dean Raffelock DC, Dipl Ac, CCN, DIBAK, DACBN, DAAIM (Retired) **
Host // Kelly Brogan, MD

Photo Credit // Claudio Divizia

Dean Raffelock is a pioneering intellect in the field of women’s health. He has focused much of his clinical work on the complexities of a woman’s hormonal physiology, but he goes beyond estrogen and progesterone into the interconnectedness between hormones, neurochemistry, and the immune system.

Where conventional medicine is lumping postpartum depression into the convenient, pharmaceutically-defined box of “chemical imbalance,” Dean offers women science-based insights into the “why” of postpartum mental illness along with radically natural interventions that work.

With only three placebo-controlled trials for the efficacy of the reflexive treatment –antidepressants — let’s see what else we can offer today’s mothers.

• • Has postpartum depression always been around? If it’s more common today, then why?
  • What we are calling depression may represent many different “problems”. What does depression really mean?
  • What are some major causes of postpartum depression? Risks?
  • What are important elements of a “natural approach”?
  • Top 3 recommendations for any new mom?

Dean Raffelock earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1976 from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon. His internship included gynecology and obstetrics along with assisting with multiple deliveries. During his 36 years in practice he earned board certifications in Clinical Nutrition (DACBN), Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac.), Integrative Medicine (DAAIM), and Applied Kinesiology (DIBAK) along with becoming a certified clinical nutritionist (CCN). He was also certified by and a website host and lecturer for the Institute for Functional Medicine. His unique background and skillset allows him to have a truly integrative perspective regarding human health.

Dean’s book, A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Health explains many ignored causes of postpartum depression and recommends effective natural remedies. Having retired from active practice in late 2013, Dean now consults and formulates nutritional supplements and information products for the nutrition and healthy foods industry. This allows him to reach many people with his knowledge of health and nutrition.