Depression during pregnancy and postpartum

• Occurs in approximately 15% or 3 out of 20 women.

• Symptoms include: Feelings of anger or irritability; Lack of interest in the baby; Appetite or sleep disturbance; Crying; Feelings of Sadness, guilt, shame; Loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy; Possible thoughts of harming self or baby.

 

Anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum

• Occurs in approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women.  Can be experienced alone or with depression

• Symptoms include: Constant worry; Feeling that something bad is going to happen; racing thoughts; Disturbances of sleep and appetite; Inability to sit; Dizziness; hot flashes and nausea

 

Pregnancy or postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Largely misunderstood and misdiagnosed in the perinatal period.  One does not have to be diagnosed with OCD to experience these common symptoms of perinatal anxiety.  Approximately 3-5% of new mothers will experience these symptoms.  Symptoms such as obsessions, which include repetitive, intrusive images and thoughts can be frightening and come “out of the blue”.  Research has shown these images are anxious in nature, NOT delusional and have a VERY low risk of being acted upon.  It is far more likely that the parent with this symptom takes steps to avoid triggers and avoid what they fear is potential harm to the baby.  

• Additional symptoms include: Compulsions, where mom may do certain behaviors repetitively in an effort to reduce fears and obsessions (including checking, cleaning, reordering); Moms with postpartum OCD know their thoughts are bizarre and are very unlikely to ever act upon them.  

 

Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Approximately 9% of women experience PTSD following the birth of a child. Caused by real or perceived trauma during delivery or postpartum.  Traumas include: Prolapsed cord; Unplanned cesarean section; Use of vacuum extractor or forceps to deliver baby; Baby going to NICU; Feelings of powerlessness, poor communication and/or lack of support and reassurance during the delivery; past experience of trauma such as rape or sexual abuse are at higher risk of experiencing postpartum PTSD; Severe physical complication resulting from birth.

 

Bipolar Mood Disorder

• Characterized by high and low mood fluctuations.  There are two different types of Bipolar Disorders (Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2).  

• Mood fluctuations are more extreme in Bipolar 1 and are less extreme in Bipolar 2

• Delusions and or hallucinations can be present in Bipolar 1

 

Postpartum Psychosis

• Occurs in approximately 0.1-0.2% of women after birth.  The onset is usually sudden and within the first 2 weeks after birth.  Uncommon when compared to rates of anxiety and depression in perinatal period.

• Symptoms include: Delusions (strange beliefs); Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there); Feeling very irritated; Hyperactivity; Decreased need for or inability to sleep; Paranoia and suspiciousness; Rapid mood swings; Difficulty communicating at times.  

• Immediate medical attention is needed since psychosis is a disconnect from reality.