Ask a psychologist: What are PMADs?
PMADS Definition
You might be hearing a lot about PMADs (or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) right now due to recent events in the news. PMADs are the leading complication of pregnancy and yet they have been mostly ignored and only the most extreme cases are talked about, even though at least 1 in 10 fathers and 1 in 5 mothers will experience a PMAD. The good news is that PMADs are highly treatable and with the right help, you will be well!
What are PMADS experiences?
PMADs is an umbrella term for several disorders that can occur separately or overlapping with eachother. These can include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis. These experiences may start shortly after birth, or with an onset during pregnancy. It’s easy to confuse postpartum depression with the baby blues, but we can give you an easy rule of thumb to distinguish between the two. Baby Blues are intense mood swings that come on shortly after delivery and resolve within 1-2 weeks. For a more in-depth article about how to know if it’s the baby blues or PPD read this and talk to your doctor.
Signs of a PMAD
Here are some signs you might be experiencing a PMAD: feeling persistently sad or unable to experience joy, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, feeling worthless, feeling overly fatigued or restless, intrusive scary thoughts, difficulty sleeping or eating, or thoughts of wanting to hurt yourself or that you would be better off dead. Most women say they don’t feel like themselves. If you experience any of these symptoms, please reach out, there is support and treatment does work!
Taking care of your baby means taking care of yourself first
However, if PMADs are left untreated, there is an increased risk of health issues, maternal suicide, and poor attachment with your baby. We have a saying with PMADs, which is to put on your oxygen mask first before you can help others. Parents, and mothers specifically, often feel that they should put others needs, especially their baby’s needs, before their own. However, we now know that a mother or parent in need of help puts both their own health and their child’s health at risk by ignoring the situation. Outcomes are better for the child if they have a healthy parent who can attend to their needs. Sometimes the best way to help your baby is to help yourself to get the treatment you need, so you can be a more present parent.
Getting support
Remember, it can be normal to feel some ups and downs and the “baby blues” in the first few days after delivery, but if feelings persist more than a few days or start to worsen, reach out to a provider for support. There are lots of free resources available, such as education, training, and group support through Postpartum Support International and their helpline number, 1-800-944-4773. And for non-birthing partners and family/friends, look out for the birthing parent’s mental health and get them support if they need it. See if you can help them get more sleep, get exercise, and get support. Sometimes PMADs can be debilitating to the point where the person experiencing them cannot set up support on their own.
We are here for you
At The Centered Space Psychology group, we treat PMADs using evidence-based therapy. We also enjoy collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team when appropriate. Please reach out if you need help!
Free Support Groups for PMADs: Postpartum Support International website
Sleep better postpartum: See our article on sleep here