Written by Stefani Trovato, MPsy
The perinatal experience is different for everyone. Parents are often met with expectations to feel love, gratitude, and joy during pregnancy and postpartum. And while these feelings may be part of the experience, the reality is often much more complex.
For many, the perinatal period is filled with anxiety, mood changes, stress, relationship challenges, intrusive thoughts, and of course physical and emotional exhaustion. The gap between how we’re told we should feel and how we actually feel can increase the risk of experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
PMADs refer to a range of emotional and mental health challenges that can arise or become more intense during the perinatal period. These include, but are not limited to, symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Symptoms of PMADs may include:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to bring you joy
- Emotional withdrawal
- Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite
- Intrusive thoughts
- Insomnia
- Severe anxiety
- Racing thoughts
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Dissociation
- Manic episodes
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feeling afraid of being left alone with your baby
Treatment for PMADs?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating PMADs. Effective treatment begins with understanding your unique experience, emotions, and needs.
At Bloor West Therapy, we use evidence-based interventions to help you create meaningful change and move closer to your goals. We often recommend a bio-psycho-social approach to understanding and treating your symptoms, which includes exploring:
- Biological factors: Changes in hormones, sleep deprivation, nutritional deficiencies, genetic predispositions
- Psychological factors: Trauma history, previous mental health challenges, maladaptive coping styles, automatic negative thoughts, core beliefs
- Social factors: Societal pressures, stigma, level of social support, access to community resources, isolation
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes PMADs?
There is no single cause. PMADs typically result from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Everyone's experience is unique. If you are struggling, it is important to remember that experiencing PMADs is not your fault and support is available.
Is it just the baby blues?
It might be. The "baby blues" often involves low mood, sadness, and tearfulness up to two weeks after giving birth. If your symptoms last longer than two weeks or feel severe, it’s important to seek professional support.
Where can I get help?
- Talk to your family doctor, midwife, or OBGYN
- Contact Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net/canada/
- Find a therapist trained in perinatal mental health
- Contact us to learn about our therapists trained in perinatal mental health
