Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

What are they?

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) include a range of disorders that can significantly impact a mother’s life
and get in the way of her daily functioning. The signs and symptoms of a PMAD can differ for every woman and may begin
during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum. The most common PMADs are depression or anxiety disorders.

Prenatal and Postpartum Depressive Disorders Prenatal and Postpartum Anxiety Disorders

Symptoms might include: Symptoms might include:

• Feeling of sadness, frequent crying, or weepiness • Constant worry

• Lack of interest in the baby or trouble feeling • Feeling like something bad is going to happen
connected to the baby
• Racing thoughts
• Sleep and appetite disturbances
• Sleep or appetite disturbances
• Feelings of anger or irritability
• Inability to sit still
• Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
• Physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes,
• Loss of pleasure from activities usually found and nausea
enjoyable

• Possible thoughts of harming yourself or the baby

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or are at all concerned about your mental health, reach out to your health
care provider or a mental health specialist ASAP. They will work with you to find the right providers to create a treatment plan.

Sources: www.postpartum.net, www.cdc.gov 1

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Risk Factors There are a variety of other PMADs including Postpartum Panic Disorder,
Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Postpartum Post Traumatic
There are a variety of risk factors that can put you at an increased risk of
Stress Disorder, Bipolar Mood Disorders, and Postpartum Psychosis. Talk
a PMAD. If you have any of the risk factors below, discuss them with your
with your provider if you are at all concerned about your mental health.
provider so you can work together to make a care plan. Some risk factors
include:

• A personal or family history of PMADs If you need assistance in finding resources near you, contact Postpartum
Support International at 800-944-4773.
• A personal or family history of depression, anxiety, or other mental
health disorders If you are in crisis call your local emergency number or the National Suicide
Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• A personal history of significant reactions to hormonal changes such as
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMS

• Life stress including financial or marital stress

• Complications in pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding

• Major recent life event such as loss, relocation, or job loss

• Fertility challenges

• Challenging labor and birth circumstances including mothers whose

infants are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and mothers of multiples

• Medical conditions including a thyroid imbalance and any form of

diabetes

Sources: www.postpartum.net, www.cdc.gov 2