Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Individual and Group Services

Pregnancy and the post-partum phases of life are not fun and joyous for everyone.  In fact, most women struggle with periods of sadness during pregnancy or in the post-partum period.  We often hear women say, “I have this wonderful baby. I should be happy!”  This is followed by feelings of shame or that something is wrong with her for not feeling the bliss we see in the pampers commercials.

The truth is that becoming a mother or adding to a family is hard work! No one is getting sufficient sleep, postpartum bodies are different and hormones are fluctuating, and it can be difficult to find time to do the things that were previously enjoyed. Many women begin to compare themselves with other moms they see or feel they must endure one more story about how a friend or neighbor did something differently with her baby. This is real motherhood, not commercial motherhood. It can be exhausting, scary, and wonderful all at the same time!

Post-partum depression, anxiety, and OCD are experienced by many, many women today. Some symptoms include:

• Difficulty bonding with baby
• Anger outbursts or extreme irritability
• Feeling burdensome or disliked by baby.
• Hypervigilance or excessively checking on baby
• Inability to sleep or lack of appetite
• Pacing or feeling “keyed-up” or restless
• Thoughts of harming self or baby
• Having disturbing thought or images come to mind randomly
• Excessive crying for no apparent reason
• Fears that interfere with functioning (ie Not holding baby because for fear of dropping him, not bathing baby because he will drown, or fear of being left alone with the baby)
• Seeing or hearing things that others cannot see or believing things that do not make sense and are out of character.

Having these symptoms can be scary and leave you feeling afraid to talk about them.  But women with these symptoms are not alone. Many, many women have had post-partum anxiety and depression and it is very treatable!  Participation in therapy and/or medication, can be an important step in your healing.  If experiencing these symptoms with mood or anxiety during pregnancy or the three years following baby’s birth, contact us to see how we can partner with you in healing through evidenced based perinatal treatments that work! Women CAN feel happy and connected again! Don't spend one more hoping things will change. We are here to help!