Adjusting To Change
Pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood are exciting and special human experiences, however, it can be difficult to adjust to the pressures associated with these life-changing events.
For women with good support, helpful family and friends, and the good fortune of a placid newborn this adjustment is made much easier. However, for some, a difficult adjustment can turn to despair, anxiety and depression.
Up to 20% of women and 10% of men will experience perinatal anxiety or depression.
Post Childbirth Symptoms
The majority of women will experience anxiety or depression shortly after giving birth. It is so common that is has a name, “the baby blues”.
This anxiety can appear as teariness, fear, worry, despondent and experiencing a feeling of inadequacy. It can be all new and a little overwhelming caring for a new baby.
Often. these feelings are short-lived, but for a sizeable proportion of women, they can persist.
When Can Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Occur
Depression can occur at any time during pregnancy and up to a year after delivery and interferes with a sufferer’s normal function and relationships. Perinatal Anxiety that persists for more than 2 weeks can manifest in a range of symptoms.
More Symptoms of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
Anxious thoughts to some degree are a normal part of everyone’s life, however, an anxiety disorder involves a persistent impairment of one’s normal function, relationships and work and may present in the following ways:
Depressed mood and persistent negative thoughts,
Loss of interests or a sense of indifference or feeling numb,
Difficulty concentrating, remembering things or getting things done Irritability,
Agitation or a “short fuse”,
Worry and feeling out-of-control,
Feelings of guilt, shame, anger, inadequacy or hopelessness,
Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby,
Extreme lethargy and tiredness a lot of the time,
Teary and upset a lot of the time,
Fears
Panic attacks
Social withdrawal,
Sleeping problems; difficulty going to sleep or waking early,
Change in appetite, weight gain or loss,
Palpitations, headaches, sweaty hands, and
Anxiety and anxious behaviours, in that may be considered excessive or irrational to someone impartial.
Anxiety Should Not Be Ignored
These feelings should be taken extremely seriously, especially where they persist beyond two weeks an occur on a daily basis.
It is a sad fact that perinatal anxiety and depression are the leading causes of maternal mortality in the developed world. A parent in this state may lose hope and perspective, and this is a dangerous combination.
Who is at Risk of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression?
Several factors put people at higher risk of developing perinatal anxiety and depression including:
Past mental health illness including past perinatal depression/anxiety,
Perfectionist and vulnerable personality type,
Recent big life changes; financial pressure, loss of work, bereavement,
Emotional stresses; estranged family or strained relationships,
Social isolation: rural women, migrants and refugees,
Domestic violence,
History of physical or sexual abuse, and
Difficult birth.
How To Reduce Risks?
During and after pregnancy it is recommended to screen women for anxiety and depression.
The Edinborough Post-Natal Depression Questionnaire produces a score (EDPS) that estimates your risk of being depressed. EDPS is not diagnostic, but a screening tool.
About 70% of women that screen positive to this questionnaire will be diagnosed with perinatal depression, so it is a reasonable screening tool.
Equally however it is not 100% accurate and some people may screen negatively but still have depression. This is why a medical professional must be sensitive to these conditions and revisit screening on multiple occasions during and after pregnancy.
Treatment for Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
There are effective ways to treat Perinatal Anxiety and Depression and they include a range of counselling modalities through to psychiatric and medical treatments.
Your doctor is trained to help facilitate this where they can play a central role in directing you towards effective treatments that are appropriate given your conditions and circumstances.
People do find their way through perinatal anxiety and depression. It is important to hold onto this fact during recovery.
Your Next Step
There is no shame in seeking and receiving help for anxiety or depression, Dr Alexander can talk to you in detail about this condition.
Dr Alexander can offer advice on a possible diagnostic and suitable treatment approaches. Arrange an appointment now for peace of mind and body.
For patients suffering from anxiety, we would advise that you see your general practitioner and possibly obtain a referral to see Dr Alexander at www.alexalexander.com.au