‘Did You Know’ there are numerous terms that are related to mood disorders previous to and following motherhood?
The term ‘perinatal’ refers to both the prenatal and postnatal periods of motherhood; the term ‘postpartum’ refers to the mother’s experience after labor and delivery through the infant’s first year of life; and the term ‘antenatal’ refers to the time period during gestation. Pregnancy and motherhood involve biological, emotional, physical and relational changes that are extremely stressful. Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are common during anyone of these periods. The following factors are among those that may increase a woman’s risk of depression and/or anxiety during anyone of these time periods: the presence of a mental health disorder before gestation; an attachment disorder between the mother-to-be and her own mother; a poor relationship with the father of the child; a negative or unrealistic view of motherhood; the presence of previous miscarriages and/or abortions; and other overwhelming factors, such as the lack of other positive life influences and adequate finances.
Psychotherapy, medication, and other methods are used to treat these disabling disorders. The uses of psychotropic medications for perinatal, postnatal, and postpartum mood disorders are controversial. For psychotherapy for your perinatal, postnatal, or postpartum mood disorder, please call Carol Ann Worthing, PhD at 303-663-5846 and click here for more information on her Biography and Continuing Education.
Carol Ann Worthing, PhD of Individual & Family Wholeness is a psychotherapist in private practice since 1992. She provides a safe and caring approach to your psychotherapy and evaluations for individuals, couples, families, and children. Her practice represents integrity, competency, and confidentiality, a safe and caring place for psychotherapy. It is her mission to guide you and your family to become emotionally and physically whole and to help you deliberately build your lives and families on that wholeness.
For more information on Postpartum Depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health.