Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder

Today’s guest post on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders is from Bina Bird, MA, LMFTS,  PMH-C. Bina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified in Perinatal Mental Health. Counseling is provided locally at Haslet Counseling or online throughout the state of Texas.

The Pregnancy and Postpartum Period

Having a baby is often viewed as one of the most joyous times in a woman’s life. Each baby brings hope for the future and the new family that is created.  

But what most don’t know is that pregnancy and the postpartum period is one of the most vulnerable times in a mom’s life when it comes to mental health.  

How common is it?

1 in 5 moms will experience a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder making it the number one complication of childbirth.  

Despite it being so common, there is still so much stigma and lack of knowledge. This leads moms and families to suffer in silence and alone.

Moms are afraid to reach out for help for a variety of reasons.  Some are afraid that others will think that they are “crazy” and are going to hurt themselves or their babies.  Others are afraid that their babies will be taken away.

Some do reach out for help but are told that what they are feeling is “normal” or “just the baby blues” and that all new moms feel that way.  

While adjusting to motherhood does involve a lot of changes and challenges, feeling anxious and depressed is NOT normal.  

Baby Blues

The baby blues lasts no more than 2-3 weeks.   If it has been longer than that or if something doesn’t feel right, it is no longer the baby blues. It may be a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.

PMAD

So, what is a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD)?  A PMAD is the umbrella term that includes not only Postpartum Depression, but also Postpartum Anxiety, and Postpartum OCD.

Postpartum Depression

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD) include

• feelings of sadness
• excessive guilt
• weepiness
• difficulties sleeping and eating
• lack of joy and motivation
• feeling numb and disconnected
• irritability and anger
• thoughts of suicide

Postpartum Anxiety

Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety include

• excessive worrying—about baby’s health, baby’s feeding, being a good mom etc.  
• intrusive or scary thoughts—images or unwanted thoughts about harm coming to baby
• not being able to sleep even when baby sleeps (usually due to these racing thoughts and worries) 

These worries and anxieties often make it difficult to do every day tasks. Such as leave the house, leave the baby with another caregiver.

Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is rare compared postpartum anxiety and depression and occurs in .1% of births.  Postpartum psychosis is also a treatable illness. It is characterized by delusional beliefs and hallucinations. Due to the risk of harm to herself or her baby, postpartum psychosis should be treated as a medical emergency.  To learn more, visit postpartum.net’s article —> postpartum psychosis for more information.

What is my risk?

There is not a way to predict who will or won’t experience a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. However, there are certain factors that make a mom more at risk.  

These include:

• A history of infertility or miscarriage
• high-risk pregnancies
• traumatic birth
• baby in NICU
• history of depression and anxiety
• history of PPD
• marital difficulties
• lack of social support
• breastfeeding difficulties

Now what?

If you or someone you love is struggling with what could be a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder please seek help.  Treatment is highly effective. Postpartum Support International has a warmline at 1-800-944-4773. This hotline can connect moms, partners, family members and other professionals with local providers and support in their area.

To contact Bina Bird, MA,. LMFTS,  PMH-C visit Haslet Counseling or email hasletcounseling@gmail.com. Bina is the support coordinator for Fort Worth and the surrounding areas for Postpartum Support International. Bina also co-hosts the Surviving Motherhood Youtube channel which provides a place for honest conversations about womens’ mental health.

Disclaimer: The content provided here is intended for informational purposes only. Reading articles and content does not constitute a therapeutic relationship.  

Read how functional medicine can help you in the childbearing years or how prenatal chiropractic care can help you.