Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Perinatal Depression:

Postpartum depression affects up to 15% of adult mothers each year and is different from the "Baby Blues", which usually resolves after a week or two on its own.  Perinatal (during or after pregnancy) depression does not happen because of anything the mother has done wrong, but is likely influenced by a combination of physical and emotional factors such as hormonal changes, physical exhaustion, feelings and experiences related to pregnancy and birth, personal or family history, or stressful life events. Perinatal depression can include some of the following:

• Sadness, hopelessness, or overwhelm
• Crying more often than usual
• Irritability or anger
• Physical aches and pains
• Trouble bonding with baby
• Thinking about harming self or baby

Perinatal Anxiety:

Although the idea of postpartum depression is a familiar concept to most, up to 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women develop anxiety, either on its own or in addition to depression.  The risk of having a perinatal anxiety disorder increases given a person's personal and family history or can be influenced by a problem with the thyroid gland.  Symptoms of a perinatal anxiety disorder can include:

• Constant worry
• Fear that something bad will happen
• Scary thoughts that may involve harming the baby in some way
• Problems with sleep and eating
• Physical symptoms:  dizziness, heart racing, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can be treated through:

• Talk therapy
• Medication
• Improvements in support and self-care