"I Knew Something Was Wrong": Samantha’s Story of Advocacy, Survival, and Healing

Quiet Connection Podcast Episode with Samantha Foote

When Samantha Foote became a mother, she expected some changes. What she didn’t expect was how much she would have to fight—first for her own mental health, and then for her very survival.

Samantha, a music therapist and neurodivergent mom of three, opened up on Quiet Connection about her journey through late-diagnosed ADHD, postpartum depression, and the terrifying experience of postpartum psychosis.

"I went to my six-week appointment, sobbing, saying 'I am not okay,' and I was completely dismissed."

Her story is one of heartbreak, resilience, self-advocacy, and healing.

In the quiet shadows, a postpartum mother bears the silent weight of her struggles, feeling unseen and discouraged.

Before Diagnosis: A Life in Motion

Before kids, Samantha described herself as the life of the party—an endlessly energetic friend, organizer, and community builder. Behind the scenes, though, she battled undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety, and OCD for years, masking her struggles until motherhood stripped those coping mechanisms away.

When Samantha had her first child, the shift was immediate—and devastating.

"I didn't just have the baby blues,” Samantha recalls. “I had suicidal thoughts. I couldn’t function. And no one was listening."

The Breaking Point: Postpartum Psychosis

After her second child, Samantha faced an even darker reality—postpartum psychosis. She blacked out during a mental health emergency while home alone with her two young children.

“I thought if I called 911, they’d take my kids away. So I didn’t. And it could have ended very differently."

Amidst a cloud of confusion and loneliness, she struggles with feeling overlooked in her mental health journey.

What followed was a harrowing journey through misdiagnosis, dismissive doctors, and crisis hotlines that left her feeling more isolated than ever. But Samantha didn't give up. She kept pushing. She kept advocating.

And eventually, she found real help.

(If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or 988. Learn more about perinatal mental health resources at Postpartum Support International.)

Healing: Preparation, Support, and Hope

By the time Samantha became pregnant with her third child, she was determined to do it differently. With a proactive mental health plan in place—including immediate postpartum medication, ongoing therapy, and a support network—she experienced a postpartum period without spiraling.

"This time, I didn’t have to fight the waves alone."

Embracing motherhood: A time for connection and confidence.

Today, Samantha runs a private music therapy practice, supports other neurodivergent families, and shares her story so others know they aren't alone.

Her message is crystal clear:

• Advocate for yourself, even when it feels impossible.

• Find a doctor who listens.

• Accept every form of help you can get.

• You are not broken—you are rebuilding.

Be sure to catch Samantha’s episode on BuzzSprout to hear more.