Maternal Mental Health
As a mother of 3 young boys, maternal mental health is very pertinent in my every day life! I can certainly attest to the fact that moms or maternal figures tend to be the "glue" for a lot of families. When mom doesn't feel herself, especially in the beginning years of baby's life, this is felt by all in the family! I believe that keeping moms mentally well through ALL stages of parenting is crucial not only for them, but for their families.
Of particular interest, is mothers who are pregnant or postpartum (first year after birth). Many women experience some mood or behavior changes while pregnant and soon afterward. Often known as the "baby blues", this is common for nearly 80% of women and typically subside after 4 weeks postpartum; However, nearly 20% of women will experience more distressing symptoms that could be classified as a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. If you are pregnant or postpartum, go ahead and ask yourself some of the questions listed below.
Of particular interest, is mothers who are pregnant or postpartum (first year after birth). Many women experience some mood or behavior changes while pregnant and soon afterward. Often known as the "baby blues", this is common for nearly 80% of women and typically subside after 4 weeks postpartum; However, nearly 20% of women will experience more distressing symptoms that could be classified as a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. If you are pregnant or postpartum, go ahead and ask yourself some of the questions listed below.
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Any of these symptoms and more may indicate you that you have a Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder (PMAD). If this is the case, rest assured, there is HOPE for you! Treatment options vary, depending on the person and situation. Please contact your doctor or myself to inquire about what you may require!
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
So what is postpartum depression? Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth. It may occur soon after delivery or up to a year later. Most of the time, it occurs within the first 3 months after delivery, however please note that women can become depressed WHILE PREGNANT. Typical treatment includes individual or group therapy, and sometimes, medication. What is so IMPORTANT to remember is that this is HIGHLY TREATABLE! Many women feel guilt or shame associated with PPD, often times due to the fact they do not feel "joyous" about their new baby or they have difficulty bonding with their baby. Know that these are all common thoughts and feelings, and you CAN begin to feel back to yourself again with treatment!
Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)
Some women experience racing thoughts, have difficulty quieting their mind, cannot sit still/feel jittery, have excessive or intrusive worry. In short, some women describe a feeling like they are "going crazy" or "losing their minds". This is known to occur for up to 20% of women who have had a baby within the last year. Often times, postpartum women can experience BOTH depression AND anxiety. The best thing to do is to reach out for help! Know that these thoughts can be irrational, sometimes bizarre, and it is your brain "playing tricks on you". Between the hormonal changes, physical and mental exhaustion that become a reality while pregnant or postpartum, imagine the frenzy your brain is experiencing! With the right help, Postpartum Anxiety is highly treatable!
Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (PPOCD)
You do not have to be diagnosed with OCD to experience symptoms like this either during pregnancy or postpartum. It is estimated that only 3-5% of new moms OR dads experience this level of anxiety. PPOCD is characterized by REPETITIVE and INTRUSIVE thoughts or images that are DISTURBING in nature, that do not seem like "you could ever come up with these thoughts". Moms (or dads) experiencing these thoughts tend to KNOW they are bizarre and do not want to act on them. Rather, many people try and avoid any triggers that may elicit the disturbing thoughts. Again, once properly diagnosed, this illness is TEMPORARY AND TREATABLE!
Postpartum Psychosis (PPP)
Psychosis is a break from reality in which the person has delusional thoughts (paranoia, for an example) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there). This can appear in 1-2 women out of every 1,000 births and often comes on within 2 weeks postpartum. This is VERY SERIOUS and mom requires immediate attention. If you think someone near you is experiencing postpartum psychotic symptoms, contact her doctor immediately or call 911. Know that mom will get the right help and this can be treated appropriately to where mom can return to being free from psychosis.
Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PPTSD)
PPTSD can more common that one might think. This illness is brought on by a perceived trauma during or after childbirth. If you are having intrusive re-experiencing of the event, hyper-aroused (jumpy, agitated), or flashbacks or nightmares, anxiety or panic attacks, you may have postpartum PTSD. I like to tell people, if it was traumatic to YOU, then it was traumatic. No experience is too "benign" to be considered traumatic, especially around the time of a birth of a baby! What seems to help them most in these cases is to talk with a professional and have your story validated. Going further, there are skills and tools to help in dealing with the intrusive memories and associated anxiety as well. You do not need to tackle any of this alone!
So what is postpartum depression? Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth. It may occur soon after delivery or up to a year later. Most of the time, it occurs within the first 3 months after delivery, however please note that women can become depressed WHILE PREGNANT. Typical treatment includes individual or group therapy, and sometimes, medication. What is so IMPORTANT to remember is that this is HIGHLY TREATABLE! Many women feel guilt or shame associated with PPD, often times due to the fact they do not feel "joyous" about their new baby or they have difficulty bonding with their baby. Know that these are all common thoughts and feelings, and you CAN begin to feel back to yourself again with treatment!
Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)
Some women experience racing thoughts, have difficulty quieting their mind, cannot sit still/feel jittery, have excessive or intrusive worry. In short, some women describe a feeling like they are "going crazy" or "losing their minds". This is known to occur for up to 20% of women who have had a baby within the last year. Often times, postpartum women can experience BOTH depression AND anxiety. The best thing to do is to reach out for help! Know that these thoughts can be irrational, sometimes bizarre, and it is your brain "playing tricks on you". Between the hormonal changes, physical and mental exhaustion that become a reality while pregnant or postpartum, imagine the frenzy your brain is experiencing! With the right help, Postpartum Anxiety is highly treatable!
Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (PPOCD)
You do not have to be diagnosed with OCD to experience symptoms like this either during pregnancy or postpartum. It is estimated that only 3-5% of new moms OR dads experience this level of anxiety. PPOCD is characterized by REPETITIVE and INTRUSIVE thoughts or images that are DISTURBING in nature, that do not seem like "you could ever come up with these thoughts". Moms (or dads) experiencing these thoughts tend to KNOW they are bizarre and do not want to act on them. Rather, many people try and avoid any triggers that may elicit the disturbing thoughts. Again, once properly diagnosed, this illness is TEMPORARY AND TREATABLE!
Postpartum Psychosis (PPP)
Psychosis is a break from reality in which the person has delusional thoughts (paranoia, for an example) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there). This can appear in 1-2 women out of every 1,000 births and often comes on within 2 weeks postpartum. This is VERY SERIOUS and mom requires immediate attention. If you think someone near you is experiencing postpartum psychotic symptoms, contact her doctor immediately or call 911. Know that mom will get the right help and this can be treated appropriately to where mom can return to being free from psychosis.
Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PPTSD)
PPTSD can more common that one might think. This illness is brought on by a perceived trauma during or after childbirth. If you are having intrusive re-experiencing of the event, hyper-aroused (jumpy, agitated), or flashbacks or nightmares, anxiety or panic attacks, you may have postpartum PTSD. I like to tell people, if it was traumatic to YOU, then it was traumatic. No experience is too "benign" to be considered traumatic, especially around the time of a birth of a baby! What seems to help them most in these cases is to talk with a professional and have your story validated. Going further, there are skills and tools to help in dealing with the intrusive memories and associated anxiety as well. You do not need to tackle any of this alone!
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PH: 404-725-0109
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2655 Dallas Highway, Suite 310
Marietta, GA 30064 |
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