Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect up to one in five women in their perinatal period, according to the National Perinatal Association. This is one of the most frequent complications of childbearing.
In these periods, a woman’s life is impacted on all levels: biologically, psychologically, and socially. This is why conception, pregnancy, undergoing miscarriages, IVF, or the basic complications of a healthy, naturally-conceived pregnancy can cause significant hormonal changes and mood swings, as well as a decline in mental wellness.
How do you know when the symptoms are a sign of something more serious? When should you seek professional help and what exactly does that look like?
The transitional period
The perinatal period is defined as the time beginning from preconception planning through pregnancy. The postpartum period is typically defined as the six weeks following childbirth, but can extend through the first year of your child’s life.
Although this time can be highly romanticized, the combination of a major life event, and changes to the body, can result in increased levels of stress. During these periods, women can face many difficult situations, including but not limited to:
- Difficulty planning
- Vulnerability in social situations
- Inadequate access to quality birth control
- Lack of agency
- Exploitation in relationships
- Emotional stress
- Financial burdens
- Miscarriage
Every year, thousands of women face unwanted pregnancies and thousands of women undergo hormonal treatments in an effort to conceive naturally. The perinatal and postpartum periods can be difficult for any woman, but especially those dealing with compounding stressors.
Having psychiatric symptoms during the perinatal period is not usually harmless for either the person affected or their offspring, but if the symptoms become moderate to severe they can impact the patient and their offspring.
The symptoms
Normal pregnancy can cause a wide range of unusual symptoms that would normally be associated with mood disorder. Though many people are familiar with “postpartum depression,” women during pregnancy can experience extreme anxiety, as well as depression that can feel overwhelming.
Women in the perinatal period can expect significant changes in energy levels, sleep patterns, appetite, and emotions. If the woman is experiencing consistent changes that affect her functioning more than expected or if there are thoughts of self-harm, it is a sign of something more significant.
Professionals often use a tried-and-true scale such as the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale to determine if the woman is facing a greater mental illness. Despite its name, this scale is used during the perinatal and postpartum periods, and also assesses for anxiety.
Since pregnancy and motherhood bring a change in lifestyle, role, autonomy, and identity, it can very easily impact a woman’s mental health. These periods can also trigger thoughts of childhood, of childhood abuse, parenting, and fears that come with raising a child. Very often we underestimate the intensity this period can hold.
The treatments offered
Due to a lack of adequate perinatal mental health training, even well-intentioned professionals are under informed or misinformed about the risks posed by mental illness. This, combined with the stigma around mental health treatments in general, and the grand romanticization of motherhood that is so prominent in our culture, leads many to suffer without the appropriate care.
Though many beneficial activities exist, including meditation, yoga, or exercise, some mental disorders require a more comprehensive treatment plan.
At Brooklyn Minds, when someone has symptoms of serious depression during the perinatal period, we sometimes recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a safe, non-invasive treatment option. Though many doctors insist that women remove all medications during the perinatal period, medication, depending on the situation, may be more beneficial than exposing the woman (and offspring) to an ongoing illness.
TMS does have the advantage of not having the systemic side effects medications can have, but it is not right for everyone. A comprehensive consultation with a perinatal psychiatrist can help determine an individualized treatment plan that balances the unique risks and benefits of various options.
Whether you join a group therapy session, begin medication, or visit an individual therapist to discuss your ongoing feelings, mood changes, or stress levels, it is important to recognize both your mental health needs and the benefits of professional care.
