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Mental Health Care for PMAD

This condition is treatable through both medicinal and therapeutic means. The treatment options entirely depend on the severity of the symptoms. Psychotherapy (CBT) or IPT are the two primary therapy types your mental health professional might implement.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy): CBT is a type of talk therapy where you and your therapist work together to observe and record your emotions. The treatment is short-termed. It helps you understand your perspective toward your surroundings and how you react to them. CBT allows you to figure out how your mind perceives particular emotions and how you can change them.

IPT (Interpersonal Psychotherapy): IPT focuses on easing the symptoms by resolving the existing factors. This therapy type determines the influences that affect your relationships rather than focusing on your past developments. It lets you recognize the root of conflict in your relationships and how it leads to distress.

Certain changes during or after the perinatal period significantly impact your emotional health. It could be as simple as minor lifestyle changes or severe health issues. IPT helps you identify grief. In some cases, the grief can be toward yourself. The loss of self often occurs after childbirth as well. Through therapy, it is possible to recognize and deal with the distress.

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Perinatal or Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder is a mental condition. It usually develops during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum. The National Library of Medicine states that 50-80% of women suffer from depression during or after pregnancy. But, with time, support, and gentle care, the distress subsides. In clinical terms, this phenomenon is called 'Baby Blues.' A mother can get physically and emotionally drained after giving birth, and it can be evident in some form or other symptoms, such as:

• Crying spells — weeping without any reason.
• Feeling excessively drained, physically and emotionally.
• Distress over falling or staying asleep.
• Constantly zoning out.
• Extreme anxiousness toward the baby.
• Constant mood swings with fits of anger and frustration without reason.
• Losing touch with yourself.

In most cases, the symptoms of Baby Blues subside with time, support, and gentle care. However, PMAD is entirely different. It happens when the symptoms persist for longer than three weeks and affect your daily life.

Major Causes

Definitive research to determine the cause still has a long way to go. And it can affect anyone, disregarding their gender. The child's health has no impact on this condition whatsoever.

The frequent hormonal changes can primarily aggravate depressive symptoms. But a conclusive study to find the root cause does not yet exist. Estrogen and progesterone levels gain a sudden spike during pregnancy and crash immediately after childbirth. It is common for the hormones to return to their natural state during or after three days postpartum. But, in some cases, the hormonal changes might vary.

Chemical changes in the body aren't the only factor that triggers PMAD. Societal, environmental, and psychological changes surrounding childbirth can also significantly affect it. Changes in the sleep cycle and daily routine can disrupt pregnant women's and their partners' mental well-being.

Common Signs

It is common for either parent to feel ashamed over their distress. The fear of judgment leads to feeling incompetent as a parent. However, postpartum depression is common and treatable. To determine whether you are reaching toward PMAD, you should be on the lookout for these signs:

• Extreme feelings of hopelessness and unexplained guilt.
• Constant anxiety.
• Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy.
• Loss of appetite.
• Lack of motivation.
• Disrupted sleep cycles.
• Crying spells.
• Foggy memory.
• Suicidal thoughts or the urge to self-harm.
• Lack of emotional attachment toward the newborn.
• Intrusive thoughts of harming the baby.
• Extreme fear over the safety of the baby.

You should immediately seek help or contact a suicide prevention helpline if you suffer from these symptoms.

Risk Factors

Several risk factors have a direct link to the development of this condition. These include:

Biological Risk Factors — Some of these are:

• History of mental illness linked to prior pregnancies.
• History of different mental ailments, such as anxiety disorder.
• Postpartum psychosis.
• Hereditary mental conditions.
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder in particular (depression during the menstrual cycle).
• History of substance abuse.
• Chronic physical disorder.
• Multiple pregnancies.
• Premature birth, less gestation period.
• Low birth weight.

Neurological Risk Factors — Some of these are:

• Prior history of trauma and stress.
• Lack of moral and social support.
• Issues regarding new relationships.
• History of domestic violence or abuse.
• Poor financial conditions.
• Pregnancy at a premature age.
• Unexpected pregnancy.
• Difficulties with breastfeeding.

The Different Types

There are four different types. These include:

• Perinatal or postpartum mood disorder usually links to extreme mood swings or irritable symptoms that persist for over three weeks after childbirth.
• Perinatal or postpartum anxiety disorder is the case of unexplained worry and stress over uncertain outcomes. Usually, anxious thoughts have no definite reason.
• Perinatal or postpartum psychosis is the rarest case, where a person can even experience extreme confusion and hallucinations. Prior history of Schizophrenia, PTSD, or other psychiatric disorders can also be a considerable factor. People are more likely to develop perinatal psychosis in these cases.
• Perinatal or postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is another severe form of PMAD. This is where a repetitive thought over the baby's concern occurs. It can even accelerate to a point where you might dread being left alone with the baby.

How to Deal With Your Symptoms

Childbirth can be challenging in itself. The additional distress only turns it even more disheartening for a parent. Accepting that you need help to cope with your symptoms is essential. Don't hesitate to ask for help. Find a support system in your partner or friends and family, and be transparent about your mental well-being.

It might get overwhelming dealing with all the emotions on your own. Remember to make your mental health a priority. It is vital for you as well as your newborn child. Practice self-love and indulge in activities that bring you joy. The more at ease you are with your emotions, the higher your chance is of forming an affectionate relationship. And most importantly, remember that there is help available.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You

If you or a loved one suffers from these symptoms, seek a professional's help immediately. It is essential to consult a licensed therapist who understands your problems and can help you find strategies to resolve them. Your condition can be entirely different from someone else, as the severity of symptoms is related to factors affecting you. Therefore, finding a therapist for the individuality of your distress is essential.

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