Common maternal mental health disorders to watch out for
Common maternal mental health disorders to watch out for
Pregnancy and motherhood are two of the most beautiful blessings in a woman's life. From experiencing the joy of giving birth to nurturing a human life and soul, mothers get to live through it all. However, there are many challenges that come their way. As blissful as it may seem, sometimes, the journey from conception to postnatal care is bumpy and may sometimes take a toll on a mother's mental well-being.
Maternal Mental Health (MMH) disorders have been prevalent amongst mothers, especially new mothers, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression and even psychosis. When left untreated and unaddressed, it may impact the mother, the baby and the family as a whole. That said, here are some of the most common mental health disorders in mothers to watch out for.
Postpartum depression
Pregnancy and postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs in women during or immediately after pregnancy. While it is prevalent, maternal depression is treatable. In order to help you identify it, here are some symptoms.
- Mild sadness
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Unable to find joy in the simple pleasures of life
- Finding it difficult to connect and bond with the baby
Those who have dealt with depression in the past are more prone to postpartum depression. Often PPD has been associated with a drop in the hormones estrogen and progesterone following childbirth.
Dysthymia or Persistent Depressive Disorder
Dysthymia is a mood disorder that persists for at least two years. Hence, it is also known as Persistent Depressive Disorder. Symptoms include loss of interest in daily activities, a sense of hopelessness and the feeling of being incompetent. Women who have a history of Dysthymia are more at risk of developing this condition.
Pregnancy and Postpartum General Anxiety
Pregnancy can be stressful. It can make you anxious and worried about everything that's yet to come. However, being nervous and anxious is absolutely natural UNTIL they persist for a longer period of time. If your anxiety and stress decide to stay a bit longer and it becomes difficult to get rid of them, then you're probably dealing with Pregnancy and Postpartum General Anxiety. If it is so, then you may feel restless, experience heart palpitations, suffer from insomnia and extreme worry. That said, do not ignore the signs and meet with the concerned specialist.
Pregnancy and Postpartum OCD
Pregnancy and Postpartum OCD or Maternal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) impacts 3 to 5 percent of women. Half of the women dealing with postpartum OCD have unfavourable thoughts about harming their baby. OCD is defined as an obsession i.e. the urge to do something over and over again (compulsions) and includes intrusive thoughts.
The baby blues
According to experts, up to 80 percent of women will experience the “baby blues” after giving birth.
The "Baby blues" may be accompanied with a feeling of sadness, mood swings and sudden episodes of crying. Since the symptoms are mild and often wear off in a day or two, baby blues are not formally considered an MMHD. However, if the symptoms persist for over two weeks, then it may be a case of depression. Do not hesitate to visit a specialist.