Understanding the Signs of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS)
Welcome back to Birth, Baby!
In today's episode we will talk about mental health in the perinatal period. We will explore the difference between Baby Blues and PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders). We will discuss how to decide if you need to seek support, and how to find that support if you find you need it.
Our guest today is Cheryl Reeley. Cheryl is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provides people with effective therapy services specializing in perinatal mental health during pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition to parenthood.
Cheryl has been licensed since 2011 and was previously employed as a medical social worker in Urbana, Illinois. During her time in the hospital setting, she provided services to the NICU, OB, L&D, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Pediatrics. In 2013, she and her family moved from central Illinois to Austin and have been enjoying everything Texas has to offer. In 2021, Cheryl opened her private practice, Cheryl Reeley LCSW PLLC, and has enjoyed making connections in the perinatal and birthing communities.
Links:
PHQ-9 - Anxiety
Summary
Cheryl Reilly, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in perinatal mental health, joins Sierra and Samantha to discuss perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Cheryl shares her personal journey and how she got into maternal mental health. They discuss the difference between baby blues and PMADs, the various types of PMADs, and the risk factors associated with them. Cheryl emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help and finding a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health. She also highlights the role of partners in supporting someone experiencing a PMAD.
Takeaways
- Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) can occur during pregnancy and the first year postpartum and include depression, anxiety, and postpartum psychosis.
- Baby blues typically start around day three or four postpartum and resolve around day 14, while PMADs often peak around month four.
- Risk factors for PMADs include trauma history, socio-economic instability, personal or family history of anxiety or depression, and the transition into parenthood.
- Partners play a crucial role in supporting someone with a PMAD by validating their experiences, listening to their concerns, and helping them seek professional help.
- It is important to reach out for help and find a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health, even if you don't have a formal diagnosis.
Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!
Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:05) - Cheryl's Background and Journey into Maternal Mental Health
- (06:31) - Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
- (07:00) - Differentiating Baby Blues from PMADs
- (09:50) - Intensification of Symptoms over Time
- (12:33) - Types of PMADs and Signs to Look Out For
- (16:27) - The Importance of Partners in Supporting Someone with a PMAD
- (32:27) - Final Advice and Conclusion
