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The Truth About Depression During Pregnancy

by Dr. Sarah Allen
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Most people are familiar with, or at least have heard of, Postpartum Depression (PPD) now. This wasn’t the case when I first moved to the USA 17 years ago but there have been great strides in awareness and provision of resources for new moms in the past few years.

There is a growing body of research  focusing on emotions during pregnancy now and this is good news for all the pregnant women who feel so alone for not enjoying their pregnancy the way they thought they would.

Studies are showing that approximately 15% of pregnant women experience depression. Research is also finding something that I have frequently seen in my clinical practice, pregnancy anxiety is just as common.

When anxiety and depression starts to interfere with your quality of life and day-to-day functioning it is called a mood disorder and we now know that pregnancy mood disorders (also known as antepartum or antenatal mood disorders depending on if you are in the US or UK) are nearly as widespread as postpartum ones (which effect about 20% of women in the first year after the baby’s birth).

I am frequently contacted by pregnant women who are feeling sad and/or anxious but they haven’t heard of antepartum mood disorders so they feel that they are the only one to go through this. I want to help increase awareness so women can feel less alone and also get help before the baby comes, as experiencing pregnancy anxiety & depression increases the risk of having postpartum anxiety and depression.

I was interviewed by pregnancyandchild.com and they have written a good article called The Truth About Depression During Pregnancy.

Please click the link to read it www.pregnancyandbaby.com/the-truth-about-depression-during-pregnancy

So What Are The Symptoms Of Pregnancy Depression?

Women with depression usually experience some of the following symptoms for 2 weeks or more:

  • Persistent sadness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Loss of interest in activities that you usually enjoy
  • Recurring thoughts of death, suicide, or hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Change in eating habits

Common Triggers

  • Relationship problems
  • Family or personal history of depression
  • Infertility treatments
  • Previous pregnancy loss
  • Stressful life events
  • Complications in pregnancy
  • History of abuse or trauma

It is so important to reach out and ask for the support you need. Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety and depression are very treatable and the earlier you get the help you need the sooner you will start feeling yourself again.

As I was quoted in the article, “Pregnancy mood disorders are very treatable and it’s OK to accept support. With treatment, you’re going to feel a lot better soon and enjoy motherhood, rather than just hanging in there hoping you will survive.”

Pregnancy Mood Disorders More Commin Than You Think

 

If you want to read more about maternal mental health download the FREE Guide To Pregnancy & Postpartum Stress, Anxiety & Depression. It is full of information about symptoms, different types of maternal mood disorders and advice about what to do to start feeling like yourself again.

THE GUIDE TO PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM STRESS, ANXIETY & DEPRESSION ebookPREGNANCY / POSTPARTUM MOOD SCREENING TEST ebook

You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

Dr. Sarah Allen CounselingDr. Sarah Allen has 20+ years experience as a psychologist helping women transition to being the mom they want to be. She is also the Director of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of IL, a non-profit offering info and support to pregnant and postpartum moms and their families.

In her Northbrook office, in the North Suburbs of Chicago, or via telephone or online counseling she offers the most convenient way for you to access support and help.

If you have questions after reading this article or the Guide To Pregnancy & Postpartum Stress, Anxiety & Depression or have any questions about how counseling can be useful to your particular circumstances please contact me at 847 791-7722 or on the form below.

    Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

     

    Filed Under: Pregnancy and Postpartum, Uncategorized, Women's Issues

    Pregnancy & Postpartum Disorder

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  • WXRP Radio - The Healing Place


    Dr. Sarah Allen is interviewed about Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Disorders


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  • Testimonials

    When I had my first baby I had what I now know was postpartum depression but I didn’t get any help. It did go away after about 18mths but it was a miserable way to begin motherhood.  When I was pregnant with my second child I started to become depressed again and this time told my OB/GYN how I was feeling and she referred me to Sarah. By starting to deal with how I felt and change the way I was handling the stresses in my life, I was in a much better place when my baby was born. The second time round my PPD was much less severe and didn’t last as long. Sarah was also really helpful in teaching me ways to make the transition of becoming a big sister easier for my oldest one too.   My husband came with me for some sessions and that really helped our relationship and we started working on parenting issues together.  Sarah’s counsel and support really helped our family transition to the good place we are all in today.
    Sara D.
    I began seeing Dr. Allen when my first child was around a year old. I had experienced a very traumatic birth, after a difficult pregnancy where I was on bed rest for a good portion of the time. The first year of my son’s life was spent worrying constantly. I also experienced flashbacks to the birth, which was an emergency C-section under general anesthesia. My son was in the NICU for several days following his birth, and I was not given very much information as to why. I remember thinking that he would die, or that something awful was going to happen. I experienced a great deal of anxiety that first year, and I thought that it was due to being a new mom. I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t eating as normal, and I remember being worried about leaving the house or taking my baby with me anywhere. I worried constantly about illness, germs, etc. The first day that I saw Dr. Allen, she gave me some questionnaires to fill out before we started talking. Then we sat down and talked about my experiences with my son’s birth and the early days of his life, and the year or so since then. I remember to this day the relief that I felt when she looked at me and said that I had PPD and PTSD, which was a result of the trauma I experienced during and immediately after the birth of my son. She explained how my brain had reacted to the stress of these events, and related it to why I was feeling the way that I felt. It made so much sense. Then, she described ways that I could get over the trauma, work through the feelings, and recover from PTSD and PPD. I felt so empowered, and so happy that the way I felt had a name, and that it was treatable. It also made me feel so validated in the ways that I had felt and reacted following my son’s birth. I wasn’t going crazy. My reaction was normal and natural. And with the help of Dr. Allen, and the type of therapy that she uses, I knew I could recover. It is over five years since that first visit with Dr. Allen, and I still use the tools that she taught me today to deal with stress. I credit her with helping me to become a more empowered, happier person.
    Elizabeth
    I refer as many patients as I can to Dr. Allen. She is an expert in treating perinatal mood disorders, and a well-trained and experienced therapist who is committed to working with her clients to develop a treatment plan designed for each individual. She exhibits genuine warmth, kindness and compassion for each of her clients. Dr. Allen has been a colleague of mine for more than 20 years, and I have great confidence when I refer patients to her.
    Leslie Lowell StoutenburgRNC, MS, FACCE Director, Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorder Program and President of Postpartum Support International
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