Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Treatment
We offer evidence-based group support and tailored treatment for people struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Fill out the short form below, or give us a call, to start healing from PMADs today with Charlie Health.
More than 90% of clients see improvements in their most severe mental health symptoms.
How are PMADs diagnosed?
PMADs refer to various mental health conditions occurring during the perinatal period, like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety, postpartum psychosis, postpartum OCD, and more. Each condition is diagnosed separately based on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Standardized screening tools for maternal mental health may be used to help with the diagnosis. Also, mental health professionals may work collaboratively with perinatal healthcare professionals, like obstetricians and gynecologists, to fully understand a person’s mental health.
How does Charlie Health treat PMADs?
Charlie Health is proud to offer specialized programming for clients navigating the complexities of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).
This specialty – which is just one segment of our broader maternal mental health program – is meticulously crafted to cater to the unique needs of those grappling with PMADs.
Emphasizing the importance of timely intervention, personalized care plans, and evidence-based therapies, our goal is to mitigate the potential negative and long-term impacts of perinatal mood disorders on mothers, children, and the entire family unit.
Our expert therapists undergo specialized training in this domain, ensuring that each individual diagnosed with a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder is matched with a primary therapist uniquely qualified to provide support and treatment. Furthermore, we curate evidence-based groups specifically for those experiencing PMADs, fostering a supportive community where shared experiences lead to meaningful connections and the development of long-lasting coping strategies.
What are the best types of therapy for PMADs?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT helps those with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders challenge negative beliefs contributing to mood disturbances (usually about pregnancy, postpartum, or parenthood) and replace them with more balanced perspectives. This therapy helps people establish healthier behavioral patterns, focuses on building coping skills, and empowers people to manage pregnancy- and parenting-related stressors. CBT also incorporates psychoeducation into treatment, providing people with information about PMADs to normalize their experiences.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills
CBT helps those with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders challenge negative beliefs contributing to mood disturbances (usually about pregnancy, postpartum, or parenthood) and replace them with more balanced perspectives. This therapy helps people establish healthier behavioral patterns, focuses on building coping skills, and empowers people to manage pregnancy- and parenting-related stressors. CBT also incorporates psychoeducation into treatment, providing people with information about PMADs to normalize their experiences.
Trauma-focused therapy
Trauma-focused therapy helps people process and alleviate the impact of past traumas that may contribute to PMADs by creating a safe space to explore and make sense of these experiences. This therapy uses specific techniques to address the challenges of the perinatal period. It also supports people in developing healthier coping strategies for both trauma and the demands of pregnancy and early parenthood.
Mental health conditions associated with PMADs
Other related areas of care may include
How it works
Reach out
Call our Admissions Team 24/7 or fill out our quick online form to verify your insurance coverage and get started
Get matched
We’ll conduct a thorough assessment to create your personalized virtual treatment plan
Start healing
Meet your peers in groups and your primary therapist in as little as 24 hours
FAQs about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
See All FAQsWhat causes perinatal mood disorders?
The causes of PMADs vary from person to person, but it is believed to be a result of biological, psychological, and social factors. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and postpartum, genetic predisposition, external stressors, and underlying mental health conditions can all contribute to PMADs.
Are certain people more likely to develop PMADs?
Anyone can develop PMADs, but certain biological, psychosocial, and social factors can put someone more at risk. People with a personal or family history of mood or anxiety disorders face an increased risk of developing PMADs, in addition to those who deal with higher levels of stress, a history of trauma, or pregnancy or childbirth complications. Not all people with these risk factors will develop PMADs, though, and people can develop the condition without these risk factors.
What are the main signs of PMADs?
The signs of PMADs vary depending on the specific condition someone is facing, but some of the main signs are as follows:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Heightened anxiety, worry, irritability, or overwhelm
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating
- A loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
- Intrusive thoughts related to harm coming to themselves or their baby
If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, including an infant, this is a mental health emergency, and you should contact The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988
What are the different types of PMADs?
PMADs encompass a range of perinatal conditions, including:
- Postpartum depression
- Postpartum anxiety
- Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Postpartum psychosis
How common are PMADs?
PMADs are common, overall affecting about a quarter of people during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Some diagnoses, like postpartum depression and anxiety, are more common than others, like postpartum OCD and psychosis. However, the true prevalence is likely higher due to underreporting and issues in diagnosis.
Do PMADs ever go away?
Yes, PMADs are treatable. With appropriate care and support, like therapy and medication, many people with PMADs can fully recover and have a positive and fulfilling experience of parenthood. The duration and intensity of PMADs vary, but early detection and timely treatment generally lead to better outcomes.
*Analysis based on self-reported outcomes data from routinely discharged clients (Jan-June 2024) who had severe anxiety or moderately severe to severe depression at intake, and improvements at discharge.