Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Before, during and after having a baby, parents may feel sad, fear, worry and alone.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) is an “umbrella term” used to describe a wide range of disorders that a woman can experience during pregnancy and after the birth of a child. This spectrum of illnesses known as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) includes Pregnancy and Post Partum Depression, Anxiety and Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Postpartum Psychosis.
The Baby Blues
About 60-80% of women experience the baby blues. Baby Blues generally begins 1-3 days after delivery. Symptoms may include: crying spells, sadness, irritability, frustration and fatigue. These symptoms may come and go and usually disappear on their own within a couple of days to a maximum of 2 weeks. Although the new mom feels miserable the baby blues are not considered to be true postpartum depression.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression
It is estimated that 10%-20% of new mothers experience pregnancy and postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar but more persistent (lasting throughout the day and longer than two weeks) than those of the baby blues. They usually start a few weeks after delivery but can occur any time during the first year after childbirth (or after weaning from breastfeeding).
Symptoms may include:
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Frequent crying
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Sleep Problems
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Trouble with eating
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Anger/irritability
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Anxiety/Panic/scary thoughts
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Feeling Overwhelmed, inadequate and unable to cope
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Loss of enjoyment
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Fear/thoughts of harming baby or yourself
Seeking Help
The potential for help is all around you. Find a sympathetic listener. This could be your:
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Partner or his family or your own family
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Your healthcare provider
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A friend
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A therapist or counselor
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A social worker
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Faith-based community leader
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A new mother’s group in your community
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Call your doctor immediately if your symptoms are severe
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a severe but extremely rare disorder that can develop during the postpartum period.
Characteristics of Post-Partum Psychosis:
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Loss of contact with reality for extended periods of time
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Hallucinations (seeing things that are not there/hearing sounds that are not real)
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Delusions (thinking things that are not true)
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Rapid mood swings
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Thoughts or actions to harm self or baby
POST PARTUM PSYCHOSIS IS A SERIOUS EMERGENCY AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP. CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR MEDICAL PROVIDER OR TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM ASAP
1. All are fairly normal feelings to have:
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Sad
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Weepy
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Guilty
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Isolated
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Angry
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Resentful
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Exhausted
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Anxious
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Tense
The symptoms in the following categories are more serious:
2
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Sad
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Weepy
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Guilty
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Isolated
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Angry
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Resentful
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Exhausted
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Anxious
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Tense
3
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Sad
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Weepy
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Guilty
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Isolated
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Angry
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Resentful
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Exhausted
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Anxious
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Tense
4
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Sad
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Weepy
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Guilty
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Isolated
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Angry
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Resentful
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Exhausted
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Anxious
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Tense
If you checked any of the symptoms in categories 2, 3 or 4, you need to get help right away!! Call your doctor immediately!!!!
For additional information and assistance:
Post-Partum Resource Center of NY, Inc.
109 Udall Road
West Islip, NY 11795
(631)422-2255
Toll Free Helpline: 855-631-0001 ( Se Habla Espanol)
Helpline hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
email: info@postpartumny.org