What Is Perinatal Depression?
Perinatal depression leaves expectant and new mothers with a variety of depressed and anxious feelings including irritability, self-doubt, guilt, hopelessness, and even suicidal feelings. It can occur any time during pregnancy and up to one year after delivery. This mental disorder has been shown to have negative effects on mothers’ quality of life and their intimate relationships, birth outcomes, and breastfeeding likelihood, as well as long-term effects on children’s cognitive and emotional development.
The phrases perinatal depression and postpartum depression are often used interchangeably, but perinatal depression is being used more now because it recognizes that these same symptoms can arrive during pregnancy and after giving birth.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression refers to depression occurring after childbirth. This form of depression is a treatable medical illness that involves feelings of extreme sadness, indifference, and anxiety that often bring significant changes in energy, sleep, and attitude. The exact cause of postpartum depression is not known but it is believed to be linked to physical, chemical, social, and emotional changes that happen when having a baby. The good news is that postpartum depression can be treated with medication and counseling, and relief can be found.
Women’s Mental Health
Women can experience specific mental health challenges that other people do not experience. Specifically, hormonal shifts can cause mental health issues around pregnancy, periods, and menopause.
Too often in our society, people write these issues off as “just hormones” or as “dramatic.” We’re here to tell you that many people experience real mental health problems when their bodies make these shifts.