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Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) impact at least 1 in 7 women, and is the most common complication of childbirth.  While many parents experience mild mood changes during pregnancy and/or after child birth, 15-20% experience more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or mood disturbance.  Parents of every culture, age, race, and income level can experience PMADS.  In fact, adoptive parents and fathers can also experience PMADS.  Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.  If untreated, symptoms can persist well past the first year postpartum.

PMADS is a term used to describe the following:

  • Depression during pregnancy and postpartum

  • Anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum

  • Pregnancy or Postpartum OCD

  • Postpartum Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Bipolar Mood Disorders

  • Postpartum Psychosis

DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR?

  • Are you feeling sad or depressed?

  • Do you feel irritable or angry with those around you?

  • Are you worried about your relationship with your baby or child?

  • Do you feel anxious or panicky?

  • Are you unable to sleep when your baby sleeps?

  • Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind?

  • Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”?

  • Do you feel like you never should have become a mother?

  • Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?