But it also can start during pregnancy for a number of reasons — for example, if a woman isn't happy about being pregnant or is dealing with a lot of stress at work or at home. Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear over things that might happen. If you worry a lot anyway, many things can stress you out during pregnancy.
You might worry that you won't be a good mother or that you can't afford to raise a baby. Pregnant women may have other mental health issues, such as: bipolar disorder episodes of low-energy depression and high-energy mania post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD panic attacks sudden, intense physical responses with a feeling of unexplained and paralyzing fear obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia nervosa It's important to treat mental health concerns during pregnancy.
How Can I Get Help? How Are Problems Treated? Treatment for mental health problems may include: Prescription medicine. Always talk to a doctor before you start taking — or stop taking — any medicines during your pregnancy.
If you take any kind of medicine for a mental health issue and are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, tell your doctor. Don't stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines may cause problems for a growing baby, but stopping your medicine may make things worse.
This might be due to variations in access to resources and appropriate treatment once depression has been diagnosed. However, screening for depression during pregnancy might provide some self-awareness of your risk of depression and anxiety. If you think you might have depression during pregnancy, don't wait for a screening. Talk to your health care provider about how you're feeling and work with him or her to determine the next steps.
There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.
If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail.
Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.
It's also common for women to develop the first signs of postpartum depression PPD , or depression that develops in the year after giving birth, during pregnancy. In fact, an estimated half of women with PPD first notice symptoms of depression during pregnancy. If you think you might be depressed, talk to your provider.
Only a medical or mental health professional can diagnose depression. To get some insight into your state of mind, you can also take our Pregnancy Depression Quiz. Anyone can have depression at any point in life. But about twice as many women as men are diagnosed with depression, possibly due in part to hormonal fluctuations around menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth.
If you've struggled with depression or anxiety in the past — like during an earlier pregnancy or after the birth of a previous child — you're more likely to become depressed now that you're pregnant.
If you're struggling with anxiety during pregnancy , this also increases the risk of being diagnosed with prenatal depression. If depression runs in your family, you have a higher risk of the condition, and you're more likely to get it at a younger age.
Women whose partners have been diagnosed with depression or another mental disorder are also more likely to experience prenatal depression. Coping with stressful events, such as financial problems, the end of a relationship, the death of a close friend or family member, or a job loss can trigger depression during pregnancy.
Smoking, drinking, or using drugs that haven't been prescribed to you by a doctor to alleviate stress increases the risk of pregnancy depression along with health complications for your baby.
If you're having your baby on your own, or if you feel isolated or receive little support from friends or family, you have a higher risk of depression.
Having relationship problems or an unsupportive partner can also increase your risk of depression. Having pregnancy complications, such as birth defects in the baby or being pregnant with multiples, increases the risk of pregnancy depression. Previously going through a pregnancy loss or traumatic birth also increases the risk of experiencing depression during a subsequent pregnancy.
Pregnancy is already physically demanding, which can make managing a chronic illness such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes more challenging. In addition, having preexisting diabetes or gestational diabetes while pregnant increases the risk of pregnancy depression. Finding out you're pregnant when you weren't planning to be can be extremely stressful and increases the risk of depression. It's very common for domestic violence and emotional abuse to get worse when you're pregnant.
If this happens to you, it's crucial that you speak to someone to make sure you and your baby stay safe. Talk to your provider about how to change your situation. Women who have a history of physical or sexual abuse are also more likely to experience depression during pregnancy. If you've struggled with abuse in the past, it's important to seek help from a mental healthcare professional.
If pregnancy depression goes untreated, it can make it harder for you to take care of yourself. You may be less likely to eat healthy or sleep, and you may be more likely to smoke or use alcohol or other substances. This, in turn, can impact not only your own health and wellbeing but your baby's. Untreated depression during pregnancy has been linked to a higher likelihood of a baby being born early or having a low birth weight and with health complications. Research also suggests that babies born to women with depression are more likely to be irritable and may cry more than babies born to moms who aren't depressed.
Later in life, children may be at greater risk of emotional, developmental, and behavioral problems. Depression is one of the most common pregnancy complications, so talk to your practitioner. At your prenatal visits, it's likely your provider will ask you about your mood and how you're feeling. If she doesn't, be sure to bring it up. Talking about mental health issues can be hard, and it's easy to think you're the only one who feels this way.
But your provider likely sees many other women going through a similar experience. Remind yourself that she's there to help, not judge. There are two main treatment options available to help you manage pregnancy depression, which may be used alone or in combination: psychotherapy and medication.
Talk therapy can help you to recognize and address potential causes for depression during pregnancy. Sessions may be one-on-one or take place with your partner or in a group setting. It's natural to feel concerned about taking medication while you're pregnant. There is not enough information about St. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking any herbal products. If you are feeling any of the symptoms listed above, it is very important to tell someone.
The early days of taking care of a new baby can be hard. Find a friend, family member or someone else you trust who can look after your baby for short periods while you get a break. If people offer help, accept it. There are many support programs for new mothers. Talk to your doctor, nurse, midwife, or contact your local public health office for a listing of services in your area. Last updated: July Depression in pregnant women and mothers: How it affects you and your child Depression is an illness that affects the way people think, act and feel.
What are the signs of depression? Some of the more common signs are: changes in appetite, like eating too much or having little interest in food, changes in sleep, such as trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, lack of energy, feeling sad, hopeless or worthless, crying for no reason, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities you normally enjoy. How does depression affect pregnant women?
Depression during pregnancy can also lead to: miscarriage, delivering before the due date preterm , giving birth to a small baby low birth weight. Depression is treatable. But if it is not treated, it will affect your children.
Toddlers and preschoolers whose mothers are depressed may: be less independent, be less likely to socialize with others, have more trouble accepting discipline, be more aggressive and destructive, or not do as well in school. School-aged children may: have behaviour problems, have trouble learning, have a higher risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD , not do as well in school, or have a higher risk of anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.
0コメント