Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD)

Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) can affect any parent who has recently had a child regardless of social status, ethnicity, race, or education. It can strike without warning and brings feelings of misery and guilt during a time you expected to be the happiest. Symptoms of a PMAD  include:  

  • Feeling sad, depressed, and/or crying a lot 

  • Feeling worthless or guilty, especially about not being a good parent

  • Strong anxiety, tension, and/or fear either about your child’s safety or  other things 

  • Not being able to sleep despite feeling very tired or sleeping more than  usual but not feeling rested 

  • Loss of or increase in appetite or weight 

  • Trouble focusing, remembering things, or making decisions *Feeling restless or irritable 

  • Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations, numbness, nausea or  hyperventilation 

Cause: There is no specific cause of PMAD and none of the symptoms are the fault of the parent. Contributing factors for PMAD: change in hormones, unplanned birthing experience, sleep deprivation, a colicky baby, medical issues, NICU stay, change in lifestyle, need to feel in control, being overloaded, lack of support from friends and family, previous depression, loss of identity, self-esteem, and freedom. 

Can you make it go away? There are things you can do to make the symptoms better on your own: get enough sleep, accept that you need help, accept that you can’t do it all, accept that this is normal, don’t let parenthood take over your whole life, find time with yourself without feeling guilty, read and educate yourself on PMAD, join a group of new parents or parenting class, try not to be alone all the time, eat a balanced and healthy diet, go for a walk outside, talk openly with someone you trust, and be okay with doing what you can and letting go of the rest. 

Information from Postpartum Support International, postpartum.net

PSI HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773

The Monterey County Maternal Health Warmline

Offers bilingual counselors who will return your call, listen to your concerns offer a  postpartum screening, and connect you with the right local resources. 

831-783-5933  

Parenting Connection Monterey County

Postpartum Wellness Groups, both in person and on zoom are  available monthly — parentingconnectionmc.org  

YOU ARE NOT ALONE  
AND WITH HELP  
YOU CAN FEEL BETTER