What is a perinatal mood disorder?

Perinatal mood disorders are related to mood and anxiety symptoms which can occur during and after pregnancy. These symptoms can last up to but not limited to one-year post-partum.

It’s common for Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB) folks to experience changes with their emotions and overall mood during and after pregnancy. Mild mood changes during pregnancy are normal and can be common throughout each. Trimester.  

Perinatal Mood Disorders include: Postpartum Depression Postpartum Anxiety Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Postpartum Psychosis

(AFAB) folks who have a history of depression, anxiety or serious mood disorder are 30%-35% more likely to develop a Perinatal Mood Disorder. Also, approximately 15% of AFAB experience significant depression during and after childbirth.  

3 Signs you may be experiencing a Perinatal Mood Disorder:

Feelings of Anxiety or Depression which last longer or increase over the course of 1 to 2 weeks

Feeling consistently overwhelmed with activities of daily living

Excessive crying or lack of interest for activities you enjoyed prior to baby

Ask yourself the following questions, you may find them helpful in respect to reaching out to or speaking with a mental health professional

You miss your old life. Parenting wasn’t what you expected, and you are sad that this is your new normal.

You get angry or frustrated a lot with your baby/kids, partner or lack of support. Everything seems to annoy you and you have trouble calming down.

You count down the times when someone can take the baby. You don’t want to be alone with them, and when you are, time seems to pass very slowly.

You don’t feel much at all. You are totally spaced out, feel empty and having trouble connecting or paying attention.

A 2019 Perinatal Mental Health survey identified that here in Nova Scotia the percentage of mothers reporting Perinatal Mood Disorder symptoms are higher in average than other provinces across Canada.  

95.8% of health care practitioners believe that perinatal mental health services are lacking throughout all of Canada.  

If you feel this blog spoke to you or to someone you know, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Wholetherapy. The team at Wholetherapy are here to help guide you through your therapeutic journey towards whole healing.  

‍