019 — Remembering Emily

Written By David Harris
 

In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris sits down with Eric Dyches to discuss a topic that is too often shrouded in silence: postpartum depression, anxiety, and maternal mental health.

Eric opens up about his late wife, Emily, who developed severe postpartum anxiety and depression following the traumatic birth of their fifth child. He candidly shares the confusion of navigating her diagnosis, the heartbreaking loss of Emily, and his subsequent journey through grief, faith, and rebuilding a life. Now remarried to his wife, Leslie—who also lost a spouse to mental illness—Eric talks about the beautiful, complex reality of blending a family of eight children and finding joy after trauma.

This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, the critical importance of maternal mental health resources, and the reality that there is always hope, even in the darkest valleys.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

  • The Reality of Postpartum Anxiety & OCD: Understanding that maternal mental health struggles can look like hyper-vigilance, panic, and worry, rather than just sadness.

  • Grief as a Lifelong Journey: Eric shares how he handles the ongoing process of healing without trying to "move on" from Emily’s memory.

  • The "Tossed Salad" of Blended Families: Navigating the shifting identities and challenges of blending five children and three children into one household.

  • Post-Traumatic Growth & Empathy: How experiencing profound loss completely shifts how we view human suffering and extend compassion to others.

  • Advocacy & Action: Turning pain into purpose through foundations and clinics dedicated to women's maternal and hormonal health.

Resources & Support Mentioned This Episode:

If you or a loved one are struggling with postpartum mood disorders, please know you are not alone. Reach out to the professional resources discussed by Eric:

  • The Emily Effect: A foundation dedicated to raising awareness, erasing the stigma of maternal mental health dysphoria, and letting mothers know they are not alone.

  • Serenity – A Healing Center for Moms: Offering intensive outpatient and general therapy support tailored specifically for mothers in Utah (Draper & Provo locations).Website: ⁠serenityrw.com⁠

    Auri Medical: A clinic co-founded by Eric and his sister (a nurse practitioner) focusing heavily on women’s health, hormone replacement therapy, and perimenopause/menopause care.Website: ⁠⁠aurimedicalutah.com⁠

  • Connect with Navigating a Broken Vessel:

Disclaimer: The host and guest of this podcast are not medical professionals. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or severe postpartum symptoms, please consult a licensed medical professional or contact the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

David Harris
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018 — Imposter Syndrome and Suicide Prevention with Rowdy Reeve