Kaiser PPD diagnosis for EDD maternity leave extension - anyone navigate this successfully?

I went through this exact process in November! So Kaiser's mental health dept can be frustrating to navigate but here's what worked for me: 1) Yes, be VERY direct with the psychiatrist. Tell them specifically you need documentation for EDD disability extension due to PPD. Some providers don't realize this is even an option unless you spell it out. 2) Your OB won't handle the extension paperwork for mental health - the psychiatrist needs to complete it. Kaiser has special forms they use for disability extensions. 3) Make sure they understand how your symptoms are preventing you from working. Be specific about how it impacts your functioning. I got my maternity disability extended by 6 weeks for PPD and it made a HUGE difference in my recovery. The psychiatrist can also help with medication if needed - I started on a low dose of Zoloft which helped tremendously.

omg that therapist sounds useless!!! why do they always wanna talk about ur mom lol. i had ppd bad with my 2nd baby and kaiser was NOT helpful until i literally broke down crying in my obs office. suddenly everyone took it seriously. thats stupid but thats how it goes sometimes

I'm a therapist (not with Kaiser) who has helped many clients through this process. Here's what you need to know about extending SDI for postpartum depression/anxiety: 1. In California, Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) can be extended beyond the standard recovery period when postpartum mental health conditions prevent you from performing your regular work duties. 2. You need a treating physician to certify your condition - with Kaiser, this will typically be a psychiatrist, not a therapist. Therapists can provide supporting documentation but usually can't certify disability. 3. The disability extension paperwork (DE2501) must specifically document how your symptoms prevent you from working. Vague statements about "feeling sad" won't qualify - the documentation needs to address functional impairment. 4. Kaiser's process typically requires: - Psychiatric evaluation - Documentation of symptoms and treatment plan - Completion of EDD disability forms - Regular follow-up appointments to continue certification 5. Be prepared to advocate strongly for yourself. Mental health disabilities can be harder to document than physical ones. The extension can provide critical recovery time. Untreated PPD/PPA can become more severe, so getting proper treatment AND time to heal is important.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, those are exactly the types of functional impairments that qualify for disability extension. Be specific about: - Concentration difficulties that would impact job performance - Decision-making challenges that would affect work responsibilities - Anxiety that prevents you from focusing on tasks - Sleep disruption beyond normal newborn care that impacts daytime functioning - Safety concerns (for yourself or baby) that indicate clinical anxiety - Any thoughts of harm (even if you'd never act on them) These concrete examples help providers document how your condition prevents working, which is what EDD needs to see.

Kaiser's mental health dept is the WORST!! I had to fight for 3 weeks to get my PPD paperwork processed. They kept "losing" my forms and transferring me between departments. My advice: 1) Get names of everyone you talk to 2) Follow up CONSTANTLY 3) If possible, get your forms in person and ask them to scan them while you wait. I ended up having to restart the whole process twice because of their incompetence. Also, make sure to specifically ask for the EDD extension forms - some providers don't know which ones to use.

Yeah I finally got approved for an 8-week extension but it took FOREVER. My claim was stuck in "pending" for weeks. I finally got through to someone at EDD who told me Kaiser hadn't submitted all the required documentation even though they told me they had!

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now with Kaiser! If you're having trouble reaching an actual human at EDD to check your claim status, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). My sister recommended it after I spent DAYS trying to get through to EDD about my PPD extension. It basically calls EDD for you and connects you once they answer. Saved me from the endless hold cycle! Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 I was finally able to speak with someone who confirmed they were waiting on additional documentation from Kaiser. I immediately called Kaiser and got them to send it that day. My extension was approved 3 days later!

Kaiser's approach to mental health is ABYSMAL. They're currently under state investigation for inadequate mental health services. Their whole model is to minimize care and make it hard to get treatment. I've been through this twice with PPD (2022 and 2025) and both times had to fight the system. My first psychiatrist tried to claim that PPD "wasn't severe enough" for disability extension which is ABSOLUTELY FALSE. I had to request a different doctor. Document EVERYTHING. Record dates, names, symptoms. Be prepared to advocate hard for yourself. The system is designed to wear you down when you're already at your most vulnerable. It's disgusting.

I work in HR and help employees with leave paperwork. One tip - make sure the provider completes Section B of the DE2501 form completely, especially the part about when you can return to work. We see so many claims delayed because providers leave that part blank or are too vague. The form should clearly state your diagnosis (usually F53.0 for PPD) and estimated recovery time.

Also! Make sure to ask your psychiatrist about the possible interaction between any PPD medications and breastfeeding if that's something you're doing. Most are safe but they should discuss this with you. My psychiatrist was great about finding an option that worked with breastfeeding while treating my symptoms effectively.

I was on Zoloft and continued breastfeeding with no issues. My baby's pediatrician said it was one of the safest options. Very minimal amounts pass through breast milk. My psychiatrist started me on a very low dose and we gradually increased it. Honestly, being treated for PPD made me a BETTER mother, even with the medication. Being untreated was far more detrimental to my breastfeeding relationship because I was so anxious and depleted.

just wanna say ur doing the right thing getting help!! ppd is no joke and its not ur fault. make sure to tell ur partner exactly what u need right now too. mine didnt understand how bad i was struggling until i made him come to a therapy appt with me. hang in there mama youll get through this!!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD is absolutely brutal and you're being so strong by advocating for yourself and your baby. I went through something similar with Kaiser last year and wanted to share a few things that helped me: When you meet with the psychiatrist, come prepared with a written list of your symptoms and how they're affecting your daily functioning. I wrote down things like "can't concentrate long enough to read emails," "making simple decisions takes hours," "constant worry about baby's safety prevents me from sleeping even when baby is sleeping." Having it written down helped when my brain felt foggy during the appointment. Also, Kaiser's psychiatry department has different locations and some are definitely better than others. If you feel like your first psychiatrist isn't taking you seriously, don't hesitate to request a different one. I had to do this and the second doctor was night and day better - she immediately understood what I needed and got my paperwork submitted quickly. One more thing - while you're waiting for the extension to process, consider asking your OB if they can provide a short-term extension (even just a week or two) to bridge the gap. Some will do this to prevent any lapse in coverage. You're going to get through this. Taking care of your mental health IS taking care of your baby. ❤️

I'm going through this exact situation right now and this thread has been SO helpful! I'm 7 weeks postpartum and just had my first Kaiser mental health appointment yesterday. Similar experience - they wanted to dig into my childhood instead of focusing on my current PPD symptoms. One thing I learned from calling EDD directly is that they're actually pretty understanding about PPD extensions, but the key is getting the right documentation from your provider. The person I spoke with said they see these claims all the time and as long as the medical certification is complete and specific about how your symptoms prevent you from working, they usually approve them. For anyone else going through this - I found it helpful to call EDD's disability customer service line (1-800-480-3287) and ask them exactly what they need to see on the forms. They can't give medical advice but they can tell you what documentation requirements they have. It helped me know what to ask my psychiatrist for. Hang in there mama - you're doing the right thing by getting help! 💕

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - PPD is incredibly difficult and you're being so brave by seeking help. I went through a similar situation with Kaiser about 18 months ago and wanted to share what I learned. That therapist sounds frustrating! I had a similar experience where they kept wanting to explore my past instead of addressing my immediate postpartum crisis. Don't let that discourage you - the psychiatrist will be different and more focused on your current symptoms and treatment needs. A few practical tips that helped me: - Before your psych appointment, write down specific examples of how your symptoms affect your ability to work (trouble concentrating, decision-making difficulties, sleep issues beyond normal newborn care, etc.) - Be very direct about needing EDD disability paperwork - say exactly that: "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression" - Ask specifically for the DE2501 form to be completed - Get a timeline for when they'll submit it to EDD Kaiser's mental health system can be slow and bureaucratic, but the psychiatrists are generally much more knowledgeable about disability paperwork than the therapists. I ended up getting a 10-week extension which was life-changing for my recovery. You're not alone in this, and you're absolutely doing the right thing by prioritizing your mental health. That's what being a good mom looks like! 💙

I'm currently going through this exact situation with Kaiser and wanted to add a few things that have helped me so far. I'm 8 weeks postpartum and just got my psychiatrist appointment scheduled after that frustrating initial therapy session (sounds so similar to yours!). One thing I discovered is that Kaiser has a specific Mental Health Access Team that can help expedite appointments if you're in crisis. I called the main mental health number and said I was having thoughts of harming myself (which I was) and they got me a psychiatrist appointment within 48 hours instead of the 3+ weeks I was originally told. Also, I've been keeping a daily symptom journal on my phone - just quick notes about sleep, anxiety levels, intrusive thoughts, ability to care for baby, etc. My OB suggested this would help the psychiatrist see patterns and document severity for the EDD forms. For anyone worried about medication while breastfeeding - my OB said Sertraline (Zoloft) and Escitalopram (Lexapro) are both considered very safe. She actually said untreated PPD poses more risks to baby than these medications do. The whole system is so overwhelming when you're barely functioning, but reading everyone's experiences here has given me hope that I can navigate this successfully. Thank you all for sharing your stories! ❤️

I'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD is incredibly isolating and overwhelming, but you're being so strong by advocating for yourself and your baby right now. I just went through this exact process with Kaiser about 6 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. That initial therapy appointment sounds SO familiar - it's like they have a script to dive into childhood trauma instead of addressing the immediate crisis you're dealing with! Here's what I learned navigating Kaiser's system: **For the psychiatrist appointment:** - Be super direct from the start: "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression" - Bring a written list of how your symptoms specifically impact your ability to work (I wrote things like "can't focus long enough to complete tasks," "making decisions feels impossible," "constant anxiety prevents me from sleeping even when baby sleeps") - Ask for the DE2501 form specifically and confirm they'll submit it directly to EDD **Timeline expectations:** - My psych appointment was scheduled for 2 weeks out, but I called back and explained I was in crisis and they got me in within 3 days - The psychiatrist completed my paperwork the same day and submitted it electronically - EDD approved my 8-week extension within 10 days The medication conversation was actually really reassuring - my psychiatrist explained that most PPD medications are completely safe with breastfeeding, and that treating my depression was the best thing I could do for both me and my baby. You're absolutely doing the right thing. Taking care of your mental health IS taking care of your baby. Hang in there mama! 💜

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - PPD is absolutely brutal and Kaiser's mental health system can be incredibly frustrating to navigate. I went through a very similar experience about a year ago and wanted to share what I learned. First, that therapist appointment sounds typical for Kaiser unfortunately. They seem to have a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn't work well for immediate postpartum crises. The psychiatrist will be completely different - they're much more focused on current symptoms and treatment options. Here's what helped me get my EDD extension approved: **Before your psychiatrist appointment:** - Write down specific work-related impacts of your symptoms (like "can't concentrate on emails for more than 2 minutes," "decision paralysis makes it impossible to prioritize tasks," "anxiety prevents restorative sleep even when baby is sleeping") - Document how long you've been experiencing symptoms - Note any safety concerns you have about yourself or baby **During the appointment:** - Lead with: "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety" - Ask specifically for form DE2501 to be completed - Request they submit it electronically to EDD (faster than mail) - Get a timeline for when they'll submit it **Follow-up:** - Call EDD after a few days to confirm they received the documentation - Keep records of all calls and reference numbers I ended up getting a 12-week extension which was absolutely life-changing for my recovery. The combination of time off and starting Zoloft (which was completely safe with breastfeeding) made all the difference. You're being such a good mom by prioritizing your mental health right now. Your baby needs you healthy and healing. Hang in there! 💕

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 10 weeks postpartum and just had my Kaiser mental health intake appointment last week - same experience with them wanting to dig into childhood stuff instead of my current PPD crisis. One thing that's helped me prepare for my upcoming psychiatrist appointment is calling Kaiser's member services and specifically asking which psychiatrists in my area have experience with postpartum mental health and EDD disability paperwork. They were able to connect me with someone who regularly handles these cases, which feels like it could save me time and frustration. I've also been taking photos of my completed sleep tracking app and mood journal entries to show concrete evidence of how my symptoms are impacting my daily functioning. My OB suggested this might help the psychiatrist see patterns more clearly when filling out the EDD forms. For anyone else navigating this - I found Kaiser's Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Program (you can ask to be transferred when you call the main mental health line). They have care coordinators who specifically help with postpartum mental health resources and can sometimes expedite appointments if you're in crisis. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here. It's making me feel so much more prepared to advocate for myself! 💙

I'm so sorry you're dealing with PPD - it's absolutely exhausting to navigate these systems when you're already struggling. I went through this exact situation with Kaiser about 8 months ago and want to share what I learned. That therapist appointment sounds frustratingly typical! Mine also kept steering toward childhood trauma instead of my immediate postpartum crisis. Don't let that discourage you - the psychiatrist will be completely different and much more focused on your current symptoms and getting you the help you need. Here's what worked for me: **Before the psychiatrist appointment:** - Write down specific examples of how your symptoms prevent you from working (I included things like "can't focus on tasks for more than 5 minutes," "decision-making takes hours for simple choices," "constant worry prevents sleep even when baby sleeps") - Be ready to clearly state: "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety" **During the appointment:** - Ask specifically for the DE2501 form - Request they submit it electronically to EDD (much faster) - Get a timeline for when they'll process it My psychiatrist was actually really understanding and got my paperwork submitted the same day. I ended up with an 8-week extension which made all the difference for my recovery. Starting on Sertraline (completely safe with breastfeeding) also helped tremendously. One tip - if you have trouble getting through to EDD to check your claim status, don't hesitate to be persistent. The whole process is overwhelming when you're barely functioning, but you're absolutely doing the right thing by advocating for yourself and your baby. You've got this, mama! Taking care of your mental health IS taking care of your baby. 💜

I'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD is incredibly difficult and you're being so strong by seeking help when you're already overwhelmed. I went through a very similar experience with Kaiser about 6 months ago and wanted to share what I learned. That therapist sounds exactly like mine! They seem to have a standard script that focuses on past trauma instead of addressing the immediate postpartum crisis you're dealing with. It's so frustrating when you're barely functioning and need concrete help, not a deep dive into your childhood. Here's what worked for me with the psychiatrist: **Be super direct from the start:** "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety." Don't assume they know this is an option - some providers aren't familiar with the process. **Come prepared with specific examples:** Write down how your symptoms impact your ability to work. I included things like "can't concentrate long enough to read emails," "making simple decisions feels impossible and takes hours," "constant anxiety prevents restorative sleep even when baby is sleeping." EDD needs to see functional impairment, not just general sadness. **Ask for the right forms:** Request the DE2501 form specifically and ask them to submit it electronically to EDD (much faster than mail). My psychiatrist was actually really understanding once I was clear about what I needed. I got approved for a 10-week extension which was absolutely life-saving for my recovery. The combination of time off and starting Zoloft (completely safe with breastfeeding) made all the difference. You're doing exactly the right thing by prioritizing your mental health. Your baby needs you healthy and healing. Hang in there mama! 💕

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - PPD is absolutely brutal and navigating Kaiser's system while you're struggling makes it even harder. I went through this exact process about a year ago and wanted to share what helped me get through it. That therapist appointment sounds SO familiar! Mine also kept wanting to explore childhood issues instead of my immediate postpartum crisis. It's like they have a standard script that completely misses the point when you're in acute distress. Don't let that discourage you - the psychiatrist will be totally different. Here's what I learned that might help you: **Before your psychiatrist appointment:** - Write down specific examples of how PPD impacts your work ability (like "can't focus on tasks for more than a few minutes," "decision-making paralysis," "anxiety prevents restorative sleep") - Be ready to say exactly: "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression" **During the appointment:** - Ask specifically for form DE2501 - Request electronic submission to EDD (much faster than mail) - Don't be afraid to emphasize how severe your symptoms are My psychiatrist was actually really helpful once I was direct about needing EDD paperwork. I got approved for a 12-week extension which was life-changing for my recovery. Started on Lexapro too (totally safe with breastfeeding) which helped tremendously. The whole process feels overwhelming when you're barely functioning, but you're absolutely doing the right thing. Your baby needs you healthy and taking care of yourself IS taking care of them. You've got this, mama! 💙

Does anyone know how the extension works if you’ve exhausted your FMLA?

I'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD is incredibly isolating and overwhelming, but you're being so strong by recognizing you need help and advocating for yourself right now. I went through almost the exact same experience with Kaiser about 8 months ago. That initial therapy session sounds painfully familiar - mine also kept trying to dig into childhood trauma when I was literally telling her I was having intrusive thoughts about my baby and couldn't function day to day. It's so frustrating when you're in crisis and they completely miss the point! The good news is that the psychiatrist will be completely different. Here's what helped me navigate the process: **Be super direct from the start:** Tell them exactly "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety." Don't assume they know this is why you're there. **Come prepared with work-specific examples:** Write down how your symptoms prevent you from doing your job. I brought a list that included things like "can't concentrate long enough to complete emails," "decision-making takes hours for simple tasks," "constant anxiety prevents sleep even when baby sleeps which affects daytime functioning." **Ask for the right paperwork:** Request the DE2501 form specifically and ask them to submit it electronically to EDD (much faster than mail). My psychiatrist was actually really understanding once I was clear about what I needed. I ended up getting approved for a 10-week extension which was absolutely life-changing for my recovery. Starting medication (Sertraline - totally safe with breastfeeding) also made a huge difference. The whole system is so hard to navigate when you're barely holding it together, but you're doing exactly the right thing. Taking care of your mental health IS taking care of your baby. Hang in there mama! 💜

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - PPD is absolutely exhausting and Kaiser's mental health system can feel impossible to navigate when you're already struggling. I went through this exact process about 10 months ago and want you to know it IS possible to get the extension you need. That therapist appointment sounds infuriatingly typical! Mine did the exact same thing - kept wanting to explore my relationship with my parents when I was literally telling her I was having panic attacks and couldn't sleep. It's like they have a one-size-fits-all approach that completely misses postpartum mental health crises. Here's what worked for me with the psychiatrist: **Be crystal clear about what you need:** Start the appointment by saying "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety." Some providers don't even know this is an option unless you spell it out. **Bring written examples of functional impairment:** Write down specific ways your symptoms prevent you from working - things like "can't concentrate on tasks for more than 5 minutes," "making simple decisions feels impossible," "anxiety prevents restorative sleep which affects daytime functioning." EDD needs to see how it impacts your work capacity, not just that you feel sad. **Ask for form DE2501 specifically** and request they submit it electronically to EDD (much faster than mail). I ended up getting approved for an 8-week extension which was absolutely life-saving. Combined with starting Zoloft (totally safe with breastfeeding according to both my psychiatrist and pediatrician), it gave me the time and treatment I needed to actually recover. You're being such a good mom by recognizing you need help and fighting for it. Your baby needs you healthy and whole. Hang in there - you're going to get through this! 💕

I'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD is incredibly difficult and you're being so brave by seeking help when everything feels overwhelming. I went through a very similar experience with Kaiser about a year ago and wanted to share what I learned. That therapist appointment sounds exactly like mine! They seem to have a standard approach that focuses on childhood issues instead of the immediate postpartum crisis you're dealing with. It's so frustrating when you need concrete help and they want to dig into your past. Don't let that discourage you - the psychiatrist will be completely different and much more focused on your current symptoms. Here's what worked for me: **Before your psychiatrist appointment:** - Write down specific examples of how your symptoms impact your ability to work (like "can't focus on emails for more than 2 minutes," "decision-making paralysis for simple tasks," "anxiety prevents sleep even when baby sleeps") - Be ready to say exactly: "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety" **During the appointment:** - Ask specifically for the DE2501 form - Request they submit it electronically to EDD (faster than mail) - Don't downplay your symptoms - be honest about how severe they are My psychiatrist was actually really understanding once I was direct about needing the EDD paperwork. I got approved for a 10-week extension which was absolutely life-changing for my recovery. I also started on Lexapro which was completely safe with breastfeeding and helped tremendously. The whole process feels impossible when you're barely functioning, but you're doing exactly the right thing. Taking care of your mental health IS taking care of your baby. You've got this, mama! 💙