Perinatal Mental Health
The emotional well-being and mental health of expecting parents up to one year after the birth of their child is known as Perinatal mental health. This period is a critical time for bonding so the mental health of parents has a vital role.
Perinatal mental health conditions can range from mild stress causing mood swings to perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety or perinatal OCD. Perinatal mental health conditions are common with approximately one in five mothers and one in ten fathers experiencing symptoms.
It is not uncommon for new parents to experience symptoms of both perinatal depression and anxiety and these can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors which are triggered during the perinatal period.
Why is perinatal mental health important
The perinatal period is a time of extensive and unique changes in a person’s life. The challenges faced within our culture and society to adjust to parenthood can be extremely stressful.
It is common to feel the highs and lows associated with expectancy and birth however when the lows become most common, a parent may be experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety.
These conditions are highly treatable and need to be addressed as soon as possible for many reasons. For instance, perinatal mental health conditions can disrupt a secure attachment to your child, put stress on your relationships, and in severe circumstances, can lead to self-harm or suicide.
Common perinatal mental health conditions
Typical mental health conditions seen before and shortly after birth include depression, anxiety and OCD. They can present different symptoms and be caused by various factors.
What is Perinatal Depression?
Perinatal depression affects one in ten pregnant women and increases to one in five in the first year after birth. Similarly, one in ten dads or non-pregnant partners experience depression also, with this number rising if mum is depressed.
Mood disturbances tend to occur more intensely and frequently during the perinatal period. Perinatal depression is triggered by biological factors (i.e., genetics, sleep deprivation, hormonal changes), psychological factors (i.e., our personalities, negative thoughts about ourselves as parents, family or personal history of depression and anxiety), and social factors (i.e., financial position, substance use, lack of social supports).
Perinatal depression can be diagnosed when the person is pregnant or within a year and experiences several of the following symptoms for two weeks causing significant distress or impairment:
Some common perinatal depression symptoms include:
Depressed mood including feeling sad, empty or hopeless.
Crying for no apparent reason.
Loss of interest or pleasure in life.
Physical symptoms: (changes in appetite, headaches, sweaty palms, heart racing).
Insomnia or excessive sleep.
Moving more slowly or finding it harder to slow down.
Loss of energy or fatigue.
Not feeling attached or bonded with your baby.
Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, feeling trapped.
Impaired concentration or indecisiveness.
Thoughts of death, self-harm or a suicide attempt.
You may be experiencing some of these and they may range from mild to severe. If so, you may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of perinatal depression, book now to start treatment.
What is Perinatal Anxiety?
Anxiety during the perinatal period tends to occur more intensely and frequently and is triggered by biological factors (i.e., genetics, sleep deprivation, hormonal changes), psychological factors (i.e., our personalities, negative thoughts and perfectionism, family or personal history of depression and anxiety), and social factors (i.e., financial position, isolation for stay-at-home parents, lack of social supports).
Perinatal anxiety can be diagnosed when the person is pregnant or within a year and experiences several of the following symptoms for two weeks causing significant distress or impairment as well as:
Difficulty concentrating or focussing.
Feeling unusually restless.
Fear that something awful might happen.
Excessive and generalised worry.
Irritability.
Panic attacks.
Muscle tension.
Sleep disturbance.
Appetite disturbance.
Obsessive or compulsive behaviours.
Other physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweaty hands, and stomach complaints.
You may be experiencing some of these and they may range from mild to severe. If so, you may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of perinatal anxiety, book now to start treatment.
What is perinatal OCD?
OCD is characterised by recurring and unwanted thoughts or images (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) to alleviate the feelings of anxiety caused by the obsessions.
In the perinatal period, these obsessions and behaviours often revolve around the baby’s safety so may include checking behaviours (locking doors, turning off household appliances, etc.) or around contamination behaviours (over-cleaning for fear of germs, etc).
These thoughts and behaviours can consume the person’s day, preventing them from doing much else causing feelings of guilt, frustration and shame. A parent with a personal or family history of OCD or extreme anxiety may be more susceptible to a recurrence in the perinatal period. However, it is not uncommon for parents to experience OCD for the first time during this time.
OCD in the perinatal period has not been extensively researched so there are no formal statistics on its prevalence but some studies estimate OCD rates are higher in first-time mothers.
The following are just some of the common perinatal OCD symptoms:
Fear around a baby being harmed by germs or dirt.
Worries about something a parent did or didn’t do to keep their baby safe.
An image or a thought of harming a baby, either accidentally or deliberately. These can include sexual or violent thoughts, which can be very distressing for a parent.
Some of the behaviours that may follow to alleviate anxiety - Compulsions:
Rituals such as washing, cleaning or sterilising repetitively and excessively.
Checking a baby’s breathing repeatedly when he/she is sleeping to the point where it interferes with the parent’s sleep.
Seeking repeated reassurance from others that everything is OK.
Correcting obsessional thoughts by counting, praying or repeating a special word.
Avoiding feared situations or activities involving germs i.e., avoiding nappy changing or taking a baby out in public.
It is important to note that medical professionals understand that the person experiencing perinatal OCD has no intentions to harm their baby. These thoughts can be scary to experience but does not mean you are a bad or incompetent parent.
OCD is a mental health condition that you can recover from and the earlier you seek professional help the better book now to start treatment.
Types of perinatal mental health therapy and treatment
Online treatment for perinatal mental health conditions includes a combination of therapy, an increase in social and medical (in some cases) support, as well as lifestyle changes. In accordance with the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Kind Mind Psychology has professional online psychologists who will tailor a treatment plan which includes a combination of evidence-based therapies delivered via telehealth to address perinatal depression, anxiety or OCD these include:
Psychoeducation
This involves a thorough clinical assessment and screening of your personal symptoms, the history of these symptoms, and how you have been coping up to now. Psychoeducation also includes providing accurate, up-to-date education and feedback to you on the best treatment approach for you.
Self-care practices
These are vital when working on perinatal mental health conditions because if you are not taking care of yourself then you cannot be expected to take care of anyone else! Self-care encapsulates sleep, nutrition, exercise, relaxation and social support. These are the main pillars of good mental health and the first things psychologists will work with you on to improve.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Used in perinatal therapy to identify and modify any unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns, and helps you to build your confidence for change through developing more positive coping skills. Your psychologist will assist you with practising these to improve your quality of life.
Schema Therapy
Is a useful approach that identifies any unmet core emotional needs and beliefs stemming from childhood which can be triggered during the perinatal period. These can impact negatively on your emotions, thoughts and behaviours.
Your Schema therapists will help you to identify and meet any unmet core emotional needs as well as learn how to weaken any unhelpful patterns of behaviour. As a result, further strengthens your attachment to your child and improves relationships.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a therapy approach that helps you to accept (not like or enjoy) what you are thinking and feeling but instead of fusing to, or struggling to change these thoughts, ACT teaches you mindfulness strategies to be ‘curious’ about them, and learn ways to let them go. ACT is a core values-driven therapy approach that focuses on guiding you towards your own meaningful life goals.
At Kind Mind, we support you during this period of significant changes
We understand it can be difficult to ask for help because of the fear of judgement or criticism from other parents, family members, or society in general. However, perinatal mental health conditions are very common and highly treatable with the right support in place.
At Kind Mind Psychology, we take a compassionate, warm and nurturing approach toward our client’s difficulties and understand how hard parenting can be but also how rewarding it can be when we are feeling our best. Our expert perinatal psychologists will conduct an extensive assessment and tailor a personalised treatment plan and help you every step of the way to reach your treatment goals of being more attuned to your and your baby’s needs. Book your online appointment or contact us now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cost of perinatal mental health therapy in Australia?
Therapy for perinatal issues cost $195/session at Kind Mind Psychology prior to any Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebates.
Does Medicare cover perinatal mental health therapy?
Medicare rebates up to 10 perinatal mental health sessions in a year providing you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP or other medical professional.
Is online therapy an effective treatment for perinatal mental health disorders?
Online perinatal therapy is just as effective as face to face sessions and are actually more convenient because you can scheduled them around times which suit you, baby’s sleep times, and in the comfort of your own home.
Does perinatal mental health therapy typically include the participation of partners?
It can be helpful to include your partner into some sessions to help them to understand how best to support you. However, this choice will be up to the person who is attending therapy.