What are the Signs of Perinatal Depression

Depression or anxiety that occurs during pregnancy is called perinatal depression or perinatal anxiety. Perinatal depression can include symptoms such as; frequent crying, mood swings, irritability, extreme fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, loss of sexual interest, anxiety, appetite changes, negative scary thoughts, feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness and despair.
Perinatal anxiety includes symptoms similar to perinatal depression, but can also include; panic attacks, insomnia, low appetite, fears, and feeling shaky, dizzy or shortness of breath.

What are the signs of perinatal depression?

• Feeling restless or irritable.
• Feeling depressed, sad or crying a lot.
• Having no energy.
• Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (heart beating fast and/or feeling like it is skipping beats), numbness, or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing).
• Not being able to sleep or being very tired, or both.
• Not being able to eat and weight loss or overeating and weight gain.
• Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions.
• Being overly worried about the baby.
• Not having any interest in the baby.
• Feeling worthless and guilty.
• Being afraid of hurting the baby or yourself.
• No interest or pleasure in activities, including sex.

What if I need medication in addition to counseling?

Deciding if you need medication is a decision best made between you and your medical provider, usually, it’s a psychiatrist prescribing your medication. A combination of counseling and medication will help decrease your symptoms.