Episode 7: Identifying & Treating Copper Excess to Reverse Postpartum Depression (Part 3) with William Walsh

Listen to Episode 7 with William Walsh →

When It's Not Actually Trauma

You had your baby. You should be happy. Instead, you're drowning in anxiety with racing thoughts and intrusive fears. A darkness that won't lift.

Everyone says it's postpartum depression. They offer therapy, support groups, and antidepressants. You try everything. Nothing helps.

Here's what they're missing: many mood disorders are being misdiagnosed as trauma. They're actually neurochemical imbalances like copper excess, undermethylation, or pyroluria.

And ignoring the biological aspect keeps people suffering longer.

This is my final conversation with William Walsh. We explore how environmental stress can worsen a neurological condition, but treating it as purely trauma won't fix the biochemistry underneath.

Not Everything Is Trauma

I work in trauma. I teach trauma. I wrote a book about trauma. And I'm telling you: not everything is trauma.

Some mood disorders have clear biochemical roots including genetic conditions, nutrient imbalances, and toxic metal accumulation. When we miss this, people do trauma work that can't address their actual issue.

This doesn't mean trauma work is wrong but that some people need biochemistry addressed first or simultaneously. The therapy won't work until the biology is stabilized.

Signs your mood disorder might be biochemical include that symptoms appeared suddenly after pregnancy, puberty, or menopause, there's no improvement despite extensive trauma therapy, you have family history of similar patterns suggesting a genetic component, symptoms seem disconnected from life circumstances, you have extreme reactions to medications or supplements, and you have physical symptoms alongside emotional ones.

When biochemistry is the root cause, trauma processing alone keeps you spinning.

Copper Excess: The Hidden Postpartum Crisis

Pregnancy changes your copper-zinc balance dramatically. Your body needs more copper for fetal development. After birth, copper should drop and zinc should rise.

But for many women, this rebalancing never happens. High copper levels create anxiety, racing thoughts, and postpartum depression.

Copper excess symptoms include severe anxiety and panic attacks, racing thoughts that won't stop, intrusive and disturbing thoughts, extreme emotional sensitivity, feeling "crazy" or out of control, sleep disturbances and vivid nightmares, and chocolate cravings and food sensitivities.

Many women never recover their zinc-copper balance. They live with chronic anxiety. They're told it's just "mom anxiety" or unresolved childhood trauma. Meanwhile, their biochemistry is creating the symptoms.

This isn't about being a bad mother. This is about mineral imbalance. Treating the copper reverses the depression.

Environmental Stress Versus Biology

Here's where it gets nuanced: stress can trigger or worsen these biochemical conditions. Trauma can deplete nutrients. Life events can unmask genetic vulnerabilities.

But you can't therapy your way out of biochemical imbalance. Both need addressing.

The interaction includes that genetic predisposition creates vulnerability, environmental stress depletes key nutrients, biochemical imbalance worsens, mood symptoms intensify, more stress occurs in response to symptoms, and the cycle perpetuates.

Breaking the cycle requires addressing both the biochemistry and the stress. Treating only one leaves you partially healed at best.

This Episode Is For:

✓ Women struggling with postpartum depression that won't lift 

✓ Anyone whose anxiety or depression worsened after life stress but never improved 

✓ People who've done extensive trauma work with minimal symptom relief 

✓ Those with family history of mood disorders 

✓ Practitioners who suspect biochemistry is being missed in their clients 

✓ Anyone told "it's all in your head" when nothing helps 

✓ People ready to explore biochemical testing and personalized treatment

What You'll Learn

Listen to understand how copper excess and other biochemical imbalances create mood disorders. Discover why treating them as trauma alone keeps you stuck. Learn what testing reveals and how targeted treatment can reverse symptoms that seemed permanent.

Some depression lifts when you address the minerals. Find out if yours is one of them.

Listen to Episode 7 with William Walsh →

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared reflects my clinical expertise and research, but every person's biology and healing journey is unique. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers before making changes to your treatment plan or starting new interventions. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. What resonated with you? What questions came up?

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