Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders + Signs to Look For

Most of us have heard of the “baby blues” and postpartum depression.

But both labels are only pieces of the emotional landscape that characterize pregnancy and the postpartum period. 

Pregnancy and childbirth are accompanied by a unique set of words and terms. Add mental health into the mix and it may feel like you’re hearing and speaking a whole new language. When this language is used to refer to you, your body, and your emotional state it can feel overwhelming and disempowering. Especially if you or your loved ones don’t have a full understanding of what you’re facing.

First, some definitions that describe the phases of childbirth and beyond:

Perinatal
Broadly, it refers to the period before and after birth. In relation to mental health, perinatal is used to define an individual’s mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. 

Postpartum
The period following childbirth. You may hear medical providers refer to the postpartum period as the first six weeks after birth. In the context of mental health, the postpartum period typically refers to the first year after birth. 

Baby Blues
Baby blues are a natural response to birth that usually occur within the first two weeks after delivery. Birthing parents may experience intense mood swings, sadness, and sometimes anger. Up to 80% of women who have given birth report experiencing symptoms of baby blues.

Mood and Anxiety Disorders
People can experience mood and anxiety disorders at any time throughout their lives but there are some forms that people are at risk of experiencing during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These are referred to collectively as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Many people have heard of postpartum depression, but that’s only one of the disorders. Others include:  

• Depression in pregnancy and postpartum

• Anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum

• Pregnancy or postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Bipolar mood disorders

• Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder

• Postpartum psychosis.

Many postpartum women who voice concerns about how they’re feeling are often dismissed as having the baby blues.

It’s important to trust yourself and listen to your gut. If you’re not feeling how you want to and haven’t for more than two weeks, it’s a good idea to reach out to your medical provider or a mental health professional. A good provider will listen to you, validate your feelings and experiences, and help you get the treatment you need and deserve. Postpartum Support International has this great discussion tool to help you start a conversation with your provider. 

It’s important for you to know that your thoughts and feelings are nothing to be ashamed of and that you are not to blame. Everyone’s feelings and experiences are unique, but here are some common signs that it’s time to reach out for help: 

• You often feel tearful or are crying a lot

• You feel irritable or angry

• You feel anxious and are having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind

• You feel out of control

• Your eating and sleeping patterns have changed

• You had a traumatic birth, or your baby was hospitalized

• You have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant

• You feel like you shouldn’t have become a parent or that you might hurt your baby or yourself

You are not alone: 

1 in every 5 to 7 women will experience significant feelings of anxiety and depression during pregnancy or the postpartum period. 

Only about half of all women who experience a PMAD receive a diagnosis and treatment.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect fathers too. I in 10 of them will experience postpartum depression and up to 18% develop a clinically significant anxiety disorder sometime during the pregnancy or first year postpartum.

Birthing people and their partners of every age, race, culture, gender identity, sexuality, and socioeconomic status can develop a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. 

Risk factors for experiencing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder include a personal mental health history, not feeling like you have enough support, your own feelings about becoming a parent, relationship conflicts, and sleep deprivation. Having experienced childhood trauma, pregnancy loss, or a traumatic birth also increase your risk.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders can occur anytime during pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, there’s no magic wand that gets waved at one year. Reach out for help if you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression after the postpartum period.

Help is available.

There are well researched treatment options for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders including talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, support groups, and medication therapy.

If you live in Georgia, feel free to reach out to me: 470-280-8301 or contact me here. 

Postpartum Support International has a directory of mental health providers throughout the country (including Georgia) who are trained in Perinatal Mental Health. They also have a non-emergency Helpline. 

If you feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, including your baby, get help immediately. Please contact the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 800-715-4225, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, call 911, or go to your local emergency room.