Peripartum Depression and Anxiety
For many women, having a baby is a very exciting, joyous, and often tiring time. But for women with peripartum depression and/or anxiety, it can become very distressing and difficult.
What is peripartum depression?
Peripartum depression refers to depression occurring during pregnancy or after childbirth. The use of the term peripartum recognizes that depression associated with having a baby often begins during pregnancy.
Peripartum depression is a serious, but treatable medical illness involving feelings of extreme sadness, indifference and/or anxiety, as well as changes in energy, sleep, and appetite. It carries risks for the mother and child.
An estimated one in seven women experiences peripartum depression.
Pregnancy and the period after delivery can be a particularly vulnerable time for women. Mothers often experience immense biological, emotional, financial, and social changes during this time. Some women can be at an increased risk for developing mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety.
Up to 70 percent of all new mothers experience the “baby blues,” a short-lasting condition that does not interfere with daily activities and does not require medical attention. Symptoms of this emotional condition may include crying for no reason, irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. These symptoms last a week or two and generally resolve on their own without treatment.
Peripartum depression is different from the “baby blues” in that it is emotionally and physically debilitating and may continue for months or more. Getting treatment is important for both the mother and the child.
Symptoms of peripartum depression include:
Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Changes in appetite
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Loss of energy or increased fatigue
Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, hand-wringing) or slowed movements or speech [these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others]
Feeling worthless or guilty
Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Crying for “no reason”
Lack of interest in the baby, not feeling bonded to the baby, or feeling very anxious about/around the baby
Feelings of being a bad mother
Fear of harming the baby or oneself
What is peripartum anxiety?
Peripartum anxiety refers to clinically significant anxiety that occurs during pregnancy (prenatal) or in the postpartum period. It includes a range of symptoms such as:
Excessive worry or fear, often about the baby’s health or safety
Difficulty relaxing or feeling “on edge” most of the time
Racing thoughts or a constant sense of dread
Trouble sleeping, even when the baby is asleep
Physical symptoms like a racing heart, muscle tension, or nausea
This type of anxiety can show up on its own or alongside depression. It can also take several forms such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, or specific phobias (like fear of childbirth or health-related fears about the baby).
Untreated peripartum anxiety can affect not only the parent’s well-being but also bonding with the baby, breastfeeding, and long-term child development outcomes.
Treatment recommendations for peripartum depression and anxiety depend on the severity. This should be thoroughly discussed with you during your appointment.
If you are pregnant or postpartum and experiencing any psychiatric symptoms listed above, please seek care. You are not alone.
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/postpartum-depression/what-is-postpartum-depression
