Perinatal Therapy
Are you down and don’t understand it? Is your anxiety higher than it has ever been? Are you experiencing intense mood swings or obsessive thinking? You are not alone. New and expecting moms often find it difficult to talk about mental health concerns. As you welcome your little one into the world, it is essential that you take care of your mental health, knowing when and how to ask for help.
There is nothing wrong with struggling during pregnancy and postpartum. Having a baby is a significant life event. It's natural to experience various emotions during pregnancy and after birth. The perinatal period is the timeframe that spans pregnancy and postpartum through the first year of a child’s life. For example, 1 in 5-7 women experience prenatal depression.
Pregnancy can bring on mood swings and feelings of anxiety and stress. However, it is helpful to understand some everyday struggles and symptoms women have during and after pregnancy.
Common depression symptoms might include:
- Irritability or anger
- Change in appetite and sleep patterns
- Increased levels of sadness
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Struggle with an emotional connection with your baby
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Common anxiety symptoms might include:
- Inability to sit still
- Feeling stressed and worried
- Being afraid of something terrible happening with little to no evidence.
- Racing thoughts, dizziness, hot flashes, and nausea
Becoming a mom can be such an exciting time, and there are many struggles to overcome during this time. Your body changes throughout the pregnancy. You are adding a new member to your family, which can impact relationships as well as your career.
Therapy provides a space to process life transitions and painful feelings without shame. If you find yourself in this period of life, overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, rage, or obsessive thinking, and would like to explore more, schedule an appointment with one of the Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselors at Bareiter Counseling Center in Charlotte. There is excitement and joy to be experienced during this season of pregnancy and postpartum. Often those feelings aren’t there, and finding an experienced therapist can be extremely helpful.
At Bareiter Counseling Center in Charlotte, we have two Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselors who can help you through this difficult time.
Additional local resources and support groups can be found at: www.mindbodybabync.org
Schedule an appointment today with our Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselors.
