Pregnancy has typically been considered a time of emotional well being and feeling excited about the pregnancy and birth of your child to come. Nonetheless, recent studies suggest that up to 20% of women suffer from mood or anxiety disorders while pregnant. Many of these women were being treated for known psychiatric disorders prior to pregnancy, and their pregnancy mood disorders are related to discontinued medication. However, there are women who first develop or become aware of mood disorders during pregnancy as well.
Women receiving treatment for a pre-existing psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder or an anxiety disorder, should consult with a psychiatrist if possible prior to conception to discuss an appropriate treatment plan during pregnancy and through the postpartum period. It is important to be informed about the potential risks of some medications to the fetus and weighing various treatment options.
Often women will develop a new or recurrent mood or anxiety disorder during pregnancy or find that pre-existing symptoms have worsened with pregnancy. Relationship difficulties, previous pregnancy loss, and high risk pregnancies are some conditions that can contribute to the development of an anxiety or mood disorder during pregnancy. Diagnosing mood disorders during pregnancy can be difficult, since normal pregnancy symptoms include fatigue, appetite changes and sleep disturbances, similar to symptoms of depression. It is easy for women or medical professionals to dismiss these symptoms as just a normal part of pregnancy. However, when these symptoms limit a woman’s ability to function on a day to day basis, further evaluation is recommended.
Our goal is to provide a safe and compassionate environment to assess a women’s mental health needs during pregnancy. We work together with the individual, family, and medical team to determine the best course of treatment for every woman. Our treatment plan will combine the resources needed to meet the unique needs of the individual which may include counseling, support groups, medication management, and medical evaluation.
Services
We offer the following services for the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders during pregnancy:
- Complete Diagnostic Evaluation
- Referral for Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management
- Individual Counseling & Psychotherapy
- Couples & Family Counseling
- Support and Psycho educational Groups
- Educational Workshops on Pregnancy related topics
To find out more about our pregnancy services or to schedule a consultation, please call us at (631) 941-1200 or email info@passageswomen.com.