Maternal Mental Health Effects the Whole Family
Did you know that perinatal depression is the number one complication of pregnancy in the United States? It’s estimated that one in five new moms experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) each year. Most importantly, please understand that if you are one of the 20% of moms experiencing symptoms of PMAD, there’s nothing you did to cause this and you are not alone. And, the good news is, it is treatable.
Research has shown that when mothers experience mental health issues, it can have negative effects on their children's mental and physical health:
Poor maternal mental health often inhibits a mom’s ability to bond and create connections with her child, which are essential for the healthy emotional and cognitive development of the child. It’s these first strong ties between a mom and her child that provide the baby with a sense of security and self-esteem that lasts for years afterwards.
When a mother is experiencing mental health issues, it can affect her ability to make sound decisions, set boundaries, and provide emotional support to her child. This can result in a breakdown in communication and trust between the mother and child, which can have long-term effects on the child's mental and emotional well-being.
A mother experiencing mental health issues can create tension and conflict within the family, hindering relationships between family members and creating a negative atmosphere in the home. Children who grow up in homes where there is conflict and tension are more likely to experience mental health issues themselves, which can lead to a cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Who is at risk of developing PMAD?*
Mothers who have:
Personal and/or family history of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or other mental illness.
Untreated postpartum depression during or following previous pregnancies.
Significant mood changes around the menstrual cycle.
Depression during the current pregnancy, which is the most significant predictor of postpartum depression.
Previous or current pregnancy loss.
Unexpected difficulties during labor and delivery.
History of trauma including physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
Racial microaggressions and implicit bias.
Current stressors related to finances, legal concerns, immigration and/or interpersonal relationships.
Queer & trans families, who are at higher risk for perinatal mood struggles for a variety of reasons including discrimination, stigma, personal mental health history, possible issues with their family of origin, conception or adoption complications, denial of parental rights, and more.
What are the most common symptoms of PMAD?*
· Feeling irritable or angry
Feeling guilty, ashamed or hopeless
Feeling so anxious or worried that nothing can calm you down
Feeling hopeless
Feeling restless
Feeling like everything is an effort
Feeling so sad that nothing can cheer you up
Feeling worthless
Big changes in appetite — eating significantly more or less than usual
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling like things that you used to enjoy are no longer interesting
Feeling unable to look forward to anything
Wanting to blame yourself when things go wrong
Feeling scared or panicky for no good reason
Not able to stop crying
Thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself
* Provided by Maternal Mental Health Now
Maternal mental health is essential to children's healthy development and families' overall well-being. Black mothers, especially, are more likely to suffer from PMADs like postpartum depression in silence and without clinical help.
Moms, your emotional, psychological, and social well-being during and after pregnancy matters. If left untreated, you could struggle with mental illness symptoms for years after having children and see an impact on your physical health. You deserve to live a full, healthy and happy life and create vital and lasting bonds with your children and loved ones. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with any of the symptoms above, help is available.
Call or text the Postpartum Support International HelpLine:
1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) #1 En Español or #2 English
Text in English: 800-944-4773
Text en Español: 971-203-7773
