Perinatal Mood &
Anxiety Disorders
Having a baby is supposed to be the best thing that has ever happened to us, right?? But if you are a new parent reading this, chances are, you are feeling what most new parents actually feel: exhausted, terrified, wondering if you were really meant to be a parent or not, frustrated or clueless.
At times, those feelings become more intense or last longer than the first few weeks. While many parents experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15 to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. It's not just women that suffer; 10% of new dads experience paternal postpartum depression. (Source: Postpartum Support International) We are here to help.
According to Postpartum Support International, if you are suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD), you may be experiencing anger, sadness, irritability, guilt, lack of interest in the baby, changes in eating and sleeping habits, trouble concentrating, thoughts of hopelessness and sometimes even thoughts of harming the baby or themselves. While some anxiety about our babies is normal, you may be experiencing Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) if you have extreme worries and fears, often over the health and safety of the baby, or are having frequent panic attacks and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms may have even begun during pregnancy.
You are not alone and you do not have to continue to suffer. Clinicians at Graceful Therapy are specifically trained, some even certified by Postpartum Support International, in treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. We use treatments such as Brainspotting, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and Narrative Therapy. If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the perinatal symptoms mentioned above, please reach out to schedule an appointment and begin healing today.