Postpartum depression can start at any time after birth, though symptoms usually emerge during the first few weeks, and they may persist up to a year after your baby is born. Unlike the ‘baby blues’, postpartum depression can last for months, and interfere with your ability to care for yourself and your baby.
Perinatal anxiety disorders involve excessive worry about health, childbirth, parenting, and the baby’s well-being. You might experience panic attacks, find yourself checking on your baby more times than necessary, or have an intense feeling of being judged by other people.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may occur after a traumatic childbirth experience, such as an emergency C-section or your baby being in the NICU. Sometimes past traumatic experiences may feel more overwhelming during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
We also treat depression and anxiety around fertility struggles or perinatal loss and conditions such as bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and psychosis during preconception planning, pregnancy and up to a year postpartum. Substance misuse can exacerbate perinatal behavioral health issues, and we can link you up with substance use disorder treatment, too.