Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders: What To Look for and What You Can Do
Given all the changes that come with pregnancy and parenthood, you might be wondering if the emotional and physical differences you are feeling are cause for concern. While adjustments, including some feelings of sadness and worry, can be normal, there are also signs that might indicate it is time to seek additional support.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are a group of emotional and sometimes physical symptoms that can affect pregnant and postpartum parents. Symptoms of PMADs can appear anytime from conception up until 1 year after birth. This group of disorders can affect parents in every financial, cultural, racial, religious or age group and can be caused by changes in biology (hormonal), physiology, and environmental factors. Although less commonly talked about, partners can also experience these symptoms, for men referred to as Paternal Perinatal Depression (PPND). While experiencing symptoms of a PMAD or PPND can be distressing, it’s important to remember that there is support that can help you through this period of change.
Symptoms to Look For:
- Feelings of intense sadness or worry that are impacting your daily functioning
- Feelings of irritability, anger or resentment
- Loss of interest in activities or relationships you usually find rewarding
- Dramatic changes in appetite, upset stomach, or headache frequency
- Difficulty concentrating/making decisions that are impacting your daily functioning
- Lethargy and/or insomnia
- Feelings of panic
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Obsessive thoughts or paranoia
- Possible thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
**It is important if you are having thoughts of harming yourself, your baby, or someone else that you go immediately to your local Hospital Emergency Room**
What You Can Do
Early screening and intervention can provide you, your baby and other family members with the ability to overcome these symptoms and to feel healthy and happy. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, or feel uncertain about what you are experiencing, it can be helpful to reach out to a professional for further support:
- Your Primary Care Doctor
- Your Child’s Pediatrician
- Your Local Emergency Room
- A licensed therapist who specializes in PMADs or PPND
- Postpartum Support International Helpline: (800) 944-4773
- Maternal Mental Health at National Institutes of Health
- The Breastfeeding Center of DC
Recommended Reading
- Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers, By Karen Kleiman, MSW
- Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression, By Brooke Shields
- Postpartum Men, Online-Support for Men experiencing PPND
- The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook: Practical Skills to Help You Overcome Anxiety, Worry, Panic Attacks, Obsessions and Compulsions – By Pamela Wiegartz & Kevin Gyoerkoe
Supporting Someone with a PMAD or PPND
If your partner or someone else you love is struggling, you will likely also benefit from support. Symptoms of PMADs and PPNDs can impact the wellness of a whole family and can lead family and friends to feel isolated, frustrated, and helpless. Options for support include:
- Couples or Family Counseling
- Postpartum Dads Website, Online Support for Male Partners
- Postpartum Support International Tips for Partners
Recommended Reading
- GoodTherapy: Supporting Someone with Postpartum Depression
- The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions Postpartum Depression, By Karen Kleiman, MSW
- This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression By Karen Kleiman MSW and Valerie Davis Raskin, MD.
For a full guide of resources please view The Breastfeeding Center Parent Support Resource List
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or you’d like more information, please call us at 1-844-QLC-TALK (1-844-752-8255) or email us here.
