On the Coast – Families Issue 97 I December/January 2019 | Page 30

Perinatal Anxiety &
Depression Awareness
What
it is &
what
to do
P
erinatal Anxiety & Depression
Awareness (PANDA) was on 11
– 17 November this year. Up to one in
five expecting or new mothers and
one in ten expecting or new fathers
will experience perinatal anxiety or
depression. Around 100,000 families
will be affected by this illness every
year across Australia.
The theme of this year’s PANDA Week
campaign is ‘I wish I knew’, because
many expecting and new mums and
dads are surprised and shocked by how
challenging becoming a parent can be.
Perinatal anxiety and depression is
a serious and common illness, but it is
also temporary and treatable. However,
left untreated, it can have a devastating
impact on parents, partners, baby and
the rest of the family. In the worst cases,
it can even put lives at risk.
One of the main reasons many
expecting and new parents affected by
perinatal anxiety and depression and
postnatal psychosis don’t reach out for
help is because they don’t understand
what is happening to them. Many don’t
realise they are ill and therefore suffer
for longer than they need to. Sometimes
lives are put at risk.
Many parents, looking back, feel
that if they had known more and been
better able to prepare for some of the
challenges, they might have been better
able to cope.
30
KI DZ O N T H E C OA S T
What is Perinatal Anxiety
& Depression?
More than general ups and downs
Being pregnant or becoming a new
parent can be both exciting and
challenging. Having a degree of trouble
adjusting to the changes that come with
impending parenthood or the arrival of
a new baby is natural.
Feeling a little ‘teary’, anxious or
irritable for a few days in the weeks after
the birth – often referred to as the ‘baby
blues’ – is common, however, when a low
mood or feelings of anxiousness start to
cause concerns or stop an expecting or
new parent from functioning normally
for more than two weeks, they may be
experiencing perinatal anxiety or
depression.
What does perinatal mean?
The term ‘perinatal’ refers to the period
from the conception of a child through to
the first year after birth.
‘Antenatal’ refers to the pregnancy
period. ‘Postnatal’ refers to the first year
after birth.
What’s the difference between anxiety
and depression?
In general terms anxiety refers to
an aroused mood – panic, agitation,
frustration or anger.
Depression is often associated with
low mood, sadness, hopelessness or
withdrawal.
Many expecting and new parents
experience both anxiety and depression
at the same time.
Talking about it
Perinatal anxiety and depression is a
serious health condition. It can affect any
new or expecting parent and does not
discriminate. It is nothing to be ashamed
of, but many new mums and dads find it
hard to talk about it.
Please see your GP if you have any
queries or concerns, they are here to care
and support you and your family.
RESOURCES:
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Awareness
www.panda.org.au/
Beyond Blue
www.beyondblue.org.au/
Way Ahead
https://wayahead.org.au
TUGGERAH MEDICAL CENTRE
www.tuggerahdoctors.com.au
MARINERS MEDICAL
www.marinersdoctors.com.au
WARNERVALE GP SUPER CLINIC
www.warnervaledoctors.com.au
TOUKLEY FAMILY PRACTICE
www.toukleydoctors.com.au