Most health professionals understand postpartum depression (PPD) and other mood disorders are a serious mental health concern. Raising awareness of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) is so important for two reasons. First, professionals need to be more proactive with evaluation and diagnosis. Women very often hide their struggle with overwhelming anxiety, worry and depression. Just because a new mom arrives for a checkup, nicely dressed and with her makeup on, it’s not safe to assume everything is okay.
Second, I firmly believe it’s important to approach postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) through a trauma-informed lens. With a trauma-informed approach, we can provide the greatest benefit from our care as professionals. Trauma-informed care provides an excellent treatment approach because I believe women experience PMADs as trauma, without a doubt!
The Number of New Mothers Struggling with Mood Disorders Is Surprisingly High
More women struggle with PMADs than you might think. In a 2013 study, 14% of new mothers screened positive for depression between 4 and 6 weeks after giving birth (which is why more mental health professionals need to address PMADs). I encourage all doctors, nurses, therapists, and all involved with new parents to address and evaluate for PMADs! Specifically I’m encouraging health professionals to address this issue in a trauma-informed manner. When we pay attention to the symptoms instead of just the narrative, it’s clear that perinatal mental health issues are indeed traumatic experiences.
It’s important that professionals recognize trauma on behalf of those dealing with it, as explained in my post about trauma-informed care:
Clients may not have considered their life experience to include trauma. A trauma-informed therapist is responsible for noticing and understanding how to help someone heal from adverse experiences, even when that person does not identify as a trauma survivor.
If we describe trauma as unique individual experiences…
- that overwhelm one’s ability to stay grounded in the present, be mindful, and tolerate their feelings
- in which the individual experiences (subjectively) a threat to life, body, or sanity/survival
- which includes a response of intense fear, helplessness, anger or rage,
» Read more about: Why Treating Postpartum Depression As Trauma is Key to Good Care »
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