Week prenatal depression and anxiety
I heard someone quote Charles Dickens when referring to paternity: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I really resonated with this quote as it applies to parenting. In fact, for me the “worst times” seemed to me to unite in the first year of paternity! Welcoming a new child, be it the first or fifth, brings with it tremendous change and change brings both things to celebrate and things to grieve. For many, the transition is smooth, and for others there are some bumps in the road. Some, like me, find it more difficult, and there are those who are very real mental health concerns for them. About 1 in 7 mothers and 1 in 10 parents, for example, suffer from postpartum depression. The figure for parents with postnatal anxiety is believed to be higher.
This week, November 13-19, is a week of awareness of depression and perinatal anxiety. PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression inAustralia) established the Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week in 2005 to raise awareness of perinatal mental health, including what to look for and where to seek support. While it is normal for mood changes to occur during pregnancy and / or premature birth, often referred to as “baby depression,” there are things to look for that may indicate the development of depression or anxiety.
Signs that depression may develop include:
- Bad mood
- Feelings of low self-worth
- Irritability, anger or anxiety
- Increased crying, often without reason
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously considered enjoyable
- It changes into eating and sleeping patterns
- Loss of motivation and excessive fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating / confusion
- Social isolation
- Thoughts of self-harm
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Anxiety indicators include:
- Feeling nervous, or always on the edge
- Muscle strain
- Difficulty in calm
- Sleep disorders
- Fixed, recurring concern
- There are a number of things you can do to take care of yourself during the perinatal period. Some ideas include:
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise
- Avoid alcohol and drugs
- Rest whenever possible (eg when the baby sleeps)
- Remember that there is no single correct way of parenting
- Seek and accept help when you provide it
- Socialize and spend time for yourself when possible
- Avoid major life changes in late pregnancy and early childbirth.
If I have had mental health concerns in the past, can I encourage you to be proactive and seek support early
