A New Beginning

Symptoms of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders [PMADs]

Emotional Changes

How do symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders differ from symptoms of baby blues? • Felt more intensely • Last most of the day • Happen on more days than not • Make it hard to function • Affect your ability to care for your baby • Change your feelings toward your baby • Easily irritated • Impatience Symptoms of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders • Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness • Feelings of anger, rage, or irritability, or scary and unwanted thoughts • Lack of interest in the baby or difficulty bonding • Loss of interest, joy, or pleasure in things you used to enjoy • Disturbances of sleep and appetite • Crying and sadness, constant worry, or racing thoughts • Physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes, and nausea • Possible thoughts or harming the baby or yourself

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Chapter 3: Emotional Changes