Perinatal or postnatal anxiety and postnatal or perinatal depression (PNDA) can mild, and it can also be devastating and debilitating. These illnesses can persist and may affect not just a new mother, but everyone around her.
Early intervention is recommended.
PNDA is not a modern condition, it’s just a new name for what may have been called “the baby blues” or something like a ‘nervous breakdown’ generations ago. The name is an umbrella term, it incorporates both perinatal anxiety and perinatal depression during the pregnancy, as well as postnatal anxiety and postnatal depression after the birth.
Early identification and prevention can help many families through difficult periods.
You don’t need to feel depressed or anxious to come and discuss pregnancy, birth or parenting issues – our specialist psychologists are there to listen and help with any concerns or problems you may have in this perinatal period.
Many of our team work in the peri-natal space, with some including Dr Amanda Mullin also accredited as consulting psychologists who work closely with local maternity units including Westmead Private Hospital.