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    Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)

    Approximately 1 in 5 new moms experience mental health challenges during or after pregnancy, and many don’t get the help they need.

    What are Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)?

    Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are types of mental health conditions that can affect a woman during or after pregnancy, or after adopting a baby. PMADs can make things harder for you, your baby, and your family.

    Sometimes, people feel like they shouldn’t tell anyone how they are feeling, or ask for help, because they worry that they will be judged. Without treatment, symptoms may continue for months or even years. PMADs are the most common complication of childbirth and can affect anyone.

    The feelings can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and up to a year after delivery. PMADs include:

    • depression
    • anxiety
    • panic disorders
    • psychosis
    • obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

    It is important to seek treatment if you are having symptoms of PMADs.

    Together, you and your health care provider will decide what kind of supports might help you the most.  Individual and group peer support, medication, and therapy are some common and effective ways to help people who are experiencing PMADs.

    Not feeling like yourself? Chat with someone.

    You are not alone! Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

    Call or text now

    Need immediate help?

    If you or someone you know need immediate help, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

    Call or text now

    Prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety are real.

    After giving birth, there's normal adjustment when women may feel physically and emotionally overwhelmed. This is called the baby blues. The baby blues are not the same as PMAD.  PMAD happens when the baby blues symptoms last more than a few weeks and become worse or begin to interfere with everyday life.

    PMADs can affect anyone, but some factors increase the risk that you will experience symptoms. Risk factors include:

    • Your own (or family) history of depression or anxiety
    • Pregnancy and/or birth-related complications or traumas
    • Stressful life events
    • Lack of social support
    • Having a miscarriage or stillbirth
    • Loss of a child
    • Loss of child custody

    It is important to seek help if you feel symptoms of PMADs are impacting your life. Symptoms include:

    • Lack of energy
    • Feeling sad or hopeless
    • Frequent crying
    • Increased irritability
    • Eating too much or too little
    • Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping too much
    • Trouble concentrating, remembering things or making decisions
    • Trouble or disinterest in caring for yourself or your baby
    • Worrying too much - or not enough - about your baby

    Where can you get help for PMADs?

    You are not alone! Help and support are available. There may be different resources available to you, depending on where you live.  Talking with a trusted friend or family member may be helpful before seeking assistance but most people with PMADs will benefit from additional support.  Here are some ways you can get help:  

    • Contact your health care provider or a member of your care team.
    • Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to ask about services and providers available to you. 
    • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - 1-833-TLC-MAMA
      • Call or text trained counselors who can listen to what you’re going through, connect you with local support groups and organizations and refer you to health care professionals. Services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    • Postpartum Support International - 1-800-944-4773
      • Call or text between 8am and 11pm to talk, ask questions and connect with local resources.
    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 988
      • Call or text trained crisis counselors who can provide emotional support and counseling if you are in a suicidal crisis or experiencing emotional distress and connect you to resources. Services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    • PA Navigate is an online tool that can connect you with supportive services such as financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help.
    • Caring for your mind only makes you stronger. | Love, Your Mind is a national website working to help people understand and manage strong emotions.
    • PA 211 - Get Connected. Get Help. Find locally curated social services information online or speak to specially trained Call Specialists who can answer questions and connect you to services in your community.