Therapy for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS)
Having a baby can be the most beautiful time of your life. It can also be the most challenging. It's exhausting, confusing, and overwhelming.
Maybe your child's birth didn't go as expected. Or maybe it went perfectly but something still doesn't feel quite right. Many new moms expect to find their "village", only to feel isolated and stuck in a new life they aren't sure how to navigate.
Some moms find that the initial anxiety and sadness that everyone deemed "the baby blues" is sticking around and impacting her every day life or realize their traumatic birth experience has impacted her peace of mind during the postpartum experience.
The emotions you are feeling are normal, but you don't need to suffer alone.
Therapy focused on the mental health needs of mothers can alleviate the weight you feel on your shoulders every day.
Symptoms of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
may include:
*feelings of anger or irritability
*changes in sleep or eating habits
*crying and sadness
*constant worry or racing thoughts
*fearing something bad is going to happen
*feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
*lack of interest in activities you typically enjoy
*thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
There are many risk factors for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders including:
*history of depression, anxiety, or OCD
*complications during pregnancy or childbirth
*complications with breastfeeding (when desired)
*history of infertility or miscarriage
*lack of social supports
*unwanted or unplanned pregnancy
*history of abuse
*having a child in the NICU
*marital or financial stress
*thyroid imbalance or diabetes
