Post-natal Depression & Perinatal Mental Health

Both women and men can experience perinatal mental health issues. This article promotes awareness and provides information about perinatal mental health to new and expecting parents.

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About Postnatal Depression and Perinatal Mental Health

Significant life events do not always bring us complete joy, even when they are positive ones. For all of us, having a baby is one of the most significant life events and requires a rapid adjustment in many areas. For women, they need to adjust not only to changes in their bodies, but also sleep and other daily routines, financial commitments, relationships and so on.

Pregnancy and the first year following childbirth are called the Perinatal Period, and this is the time when women are more likely to experience emotional and mental health issues. Their partners and families may also be affected by this significant event. So, it is important to check if you (and your family members) are okay.

If you are not sure you are coping with adjustment in the perinatal period, take this short mental health checklist for mums.

FREE POSTNATAL DEPRESSION CHECKLIST

Mental Health Disorders

Perinatal Anxiety
Perinatal Depression
Bipolar Disorder in the Perinatal Period
Puerperal Psychosis.

Known Risk Factors

Past or previous mental health problems
Previous or current abuse (sexual, physical or psychological)
Previous or current drug and/or alcohol use
Recent life stressors (e.g. moving house, financial worries, relationship problems, IVF, multiple births)
Lack of practical and emotional support
Poor relationship with your own mother.

Perinatal Issues in Men

Both women and men can experience perinatal mental health issues. Generally, anxiety and depression are reported high in the perinatal period among men. However, the rate isn’t significantly higher for men than at other times unless their partners are also experiencing perinatal depression.

If a man’s partner is experiencing perinatal depression, the likelihood he will experience anxiety or depression is increased by 50%.

What You Can Do About Perinatal Issues

Prevention

If you are not experiencing perinatal mental health issues, but if you identify risk factor(s), then seeking professional and personal support as well as adjustment of routines to reduce physical and emotional stress would be helpful.

Intervention

If you identify some perinatal mental symptoms, then seeking professional help should be the first step. This may include medication, seeing a psychologist, and/or other intervention (e.g., changing working hours, parenting skills training).

One of the most effective evidence-based psychological interventions for perinatal mental disorders is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).