We have all heard it before. The first couple months after a baby is born is supposed to be “the happiest time of your life!” Yes, new parents are generally ecstatic to welcome their precious bundle of joy and eager to spend quality time at home kissing those adorable fingers and toes. However, it is not at all uncommon for those first few days, weeks and months to be filled with plenty of intense negative emotions and high stress for many postpartum moms and even some dads. In fact, many new moms experience mood and anxiety symptoms beyond the normalcy of the baby blues.
Even though women have been giving birth since the dawn of time, we are still, and only recently, becoming better informed about the development and complications of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). We are discovering how crucial it is to identify and treat such conditions for the well-being of moms and babies, including their long-term development, as well as the rest of the family.
Therefore, as a therapist who provides support and treatment to women who are dealing with perinatal depression and anxiety, I am always looking for opportunities to further educate myself about this often-misunderstood population. Last weekend I attended a PMADs 101 training put on by the Postpartum Health Alliance, a local non-profit organization providing resources to women and their families. The main presenter was Bethany Warren, LCSW, a psychotherapist and President of the Postpartum Health Alliance. With her permission, I write this article to summarize the most important pieces of information about PMADs to help you, as a new mom, be educated about what you might be experiencing.
Key points:
- PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) are the most common complication of pregnancy occurring for 15-20% of new moms, and 10% of partners.
- Baby blues (i.e. – irritability, crying, mood instability) are incredibly common occurring for up to 80% of new moms, but do not affect or interrupt functioning and disappear by about 2-3 weeks.
- It is no longer called “just” postpartum depression: perinatal is used to include pregnancy (when symptoms can start to present); and anxiety was included as well, since some women also experience anxiety disorders.
- PMADs include:
- perinatal depression (14% of moms, 10% of partners): can start anywhere from pregnancy to 2 years postpartum; may include suicidal ideations.
- perinatal anxiety (20% of moms): hypochondriasis (self or baby); panic attacks; avoidance behaviors, obsessive-compulsive symptoms; intrusive and distressing thoughts.
- perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder (9% of moms): can be triggered by birth; mood changes; hypervigilance; isolation; emotional detachment; flashbacks or nightmares.
- perinatal bipolar disorder (22% of moms): depression followed by elevated mood; impulsiveness; little need for sleep; overconfidence; rapid speech; delusions.
- perinatal psychosis (very rare but often makes the news); sudden onset; risk of infanticide/suicide; disorganized behavior; hallucinations; rapidly changing moods; considered an emergency.
- Only 15% of those with PMADs seek professional help or treatment.
- PMADs can decrease the likelihood that new moms will: breastfeed (by 27%); play with infant (by 30%); talk to infant (by 26%); etc.
- Long-term impact of untreated PMADs include: impaired mother/child bond; cognitive and developmental delays; poor self-control and aggression; substance abuse problems as teenagers; negative impact on partner/family members.
- Right here in San Diego, UCSD has an intensive outpatient program for moms with PMADs.
I enjoyed attending this training workshop to meet other professionals (therapists, doulas, acupuncturists, etc.) who are just as passionate as I am about helping women and their families who are experiencing PMADs. I was impressed to learn that the Postpartum Health Alliance offers a warmline staffed by volunteers who provide wonderful resources throughout San Diego to new moms, as well as a helpful provider directory.
One of the most relieving pieces of information emphasized by the presenters was for us as providers to remind our mom clients that if they are experiencing PMADs, it is very treatable! Talk to your doctor, call Postpartum Health Alliance, and seek support from trained therapists.
For more information contact Postpartum Health Alliance
https://postpartumhealthalliance.org
2204 El Camino Real, Suite 305,
Oceanside, CA 92054
(858) 215-4578
