Perinatal Mental Health & Postnatal Depression
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.
Perinatal Anxiety
Perinatal Mental Health & Postnatal Depression
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.
Perinatal Mental Health Disorders
Mental health issues in the perinatal period may be:
Perinatal Mental Health – Known Risk Factors
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%.
Perinatal Issues – What You Can Do
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).
Take Parenting Skills Training
Learning effective parenting skills may also be helpful and the following are some of the most commonly introduced programs:
Positive Parenting Program
Learn about the Triple P Queensland program.
Circle of Security
How the ‘Circle of Security’ Model Can Help Us Be Better at Parenting.
Perinatal Mental Health Information & Resources
Perinatal Mental Health & Postnatal Depression
Make an Appointment
Send a request to a Psychologist in Brisbane by completing the form below.
