ABOUT PPMD

About Pre- and Postpartum Mood Disorders

Do you have a pregnancy related mood disorder?

We are here 24/7 to help you figure it out, and to connect you with effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover if you do.

But it’s important for you to know the signs and symptoms of pre- and postpartum mood disorders because early diagnosis is important and can help prevent the condition from worsening. If you are unsure, call on husbands, partners, friends,or family members to review this information with you. Sometimes the people that know you best can be the ones to recognize that something isn’t right, even before you do.

What are the causes of pregnancy related mood disorders?

While the exact causes are unknown, it is believed to be the result of a combination of biochemical, hormonal, genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors, along with any of the following other contributors:

Changes in hormone levels
A difficult pregnancy
A difficult birth
Medical problems (mother or baby)
Lack of sleep
Feeling alone

Perceived loss of freedom
Sudden changes in routines
Personal or family history of depression
Prior experience with postpartum depression or other perinatal mood disorders
Life stressors such as illness or financial problems

Who is at risk?

Are pregnant
Have recently had a baby
Have miscarried or ended a pregnancy
Have stopped breastfeeding

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What are some of the signs and symptoms to look for?

Changes in appetite
Trouble sleeping
Frequent crying
Feeling irritable
Restlessness
Unexpected weight loss or gain

High anxiety
Feelings of being a bad mother
Dramatic mood swings
Wanting no contact with the baby
Thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

What other forms can pregnancy related illnesses take?

Although the term “postpartum depression” is most often used, there are actually several forms of the illness that parents may experience, including:

Perinatal Anxiety
Prenatal Anxiety is a term used to describe distressing feelings that occur during pregnancy (perinatal) as opposed to throughout the first year after pregnancy (postpartum).

Symptoms can include any of the following: Worrying thoughts that keep coming into your mind – like worrying that something may be wrong with your baby. Panic attacks – which are outbursts of extreme fear and panic that ‘take over your body’ and feel out of control. Sometimes this can lead people to start avoiding situations for fear it may reoccur.

Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD that occurs immediately after childbirth is called postpartum OCD. Research shows that women who are pregnant, or who have recently given birth, are at an increased risk of developing OCD symptoms, that could include;

Concerns about dirt and germs
Making sure not to make a mistake
The urge to check and recheck that the baby monitor is working
Ensuring bottles are properly sterilized

These thoughts can be intrusive and can make caring for your child very difficult. You won’t necessarily have an intention to harm your child, but you may become very much afraid that you will do so accidentally.

Postpartum Panic Disorder
Postpartum panic disorder is a condition that new mothers may experience during the months after giving birth. Unlike postpartum depression, postpartum panic disorder is a triggered condition that results in excessive worry, fear, and anxiety as opposed to depression and sadness

Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It is also known as birth trauma. Mothers may develop postnatal PTSD after an experience of traumatic events during labor or childbirth.

Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is the severest form of mental illness in that category characterized by extreme confusion, loss of touch with reality, paranoia, delusions, disorganized thought process, and hallucinations.

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