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Life After Birth: Dispelling the Most Common Postpartum Mental Health Myths

  • Writer: Aliza Shapiro
    Aliza Shapiro
  • Apr 4
  • 3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago


By Micol Bassal, LMSW


“How are you feeling?!” This is the question all mothers or birthing parents are asked throughout their pregnancy journey, yet perinatal mental health is still disproportionately overlooked and untreated. Why is that? As I near the third trimester of my own pregnancy, I find myself searching for the answer. Due to stigma and misinformation, there are many myths surrounding perinatal mental health that have impacted mothers and the type of mental health care they receive. So this month, I want dig into some of the most common myths, pull the cloak off, and provide us all with some actual facts:

 

“It’s just the Baby Blues! It will go away on its own:" Mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and irritability are all symptoms of the Baby Blues, which is characterized as a temporary mood disorder that lasts from two days and up to two weeks. However, if symptoms persist for more than two weeks then it can be considered a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD). If that is the case, it is vital that it is treated as such. 

 

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the only mental health concern that birthing parents face: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) affect 1 in 5 women and include perinatal anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis. A birthing parent can be diagnosed with a PMAD at any point from conception to one year postpartum. This connects to another harmful myth: the postpartum period lasts only a few weeks to a month. Recent studies have shown that women can experience the aftereffects of pregnancy and birth for up to three years, including birth-related pain and PMADs. Furthermore, a birthing parent may experience the symptoms of a PMAD for an extended period due to barriers to treatment, including stigma and shame. 

 

And perhaps one of the most shameful myths: that mothers diagnosed with a PMAD pose a threat to their children’s safety. This misconception can prevent birthing parents from sharing the truth about their symptoms. They may think to themselves - “If I tell anyone how I am really feeling, they will take my baby away."


The truth is that the vast majority of mothers with PMADs are loving and devoted caregivers. While untreated PMADs, such as Postpartum Psychosis, can have serious effects on both mother and child, removing the stigma surrounding these conditions will make it easier to identify symptoms and provide necessary treatment. Shame is what begets silence and secrecy, and that is where the harm comes into play.

 

Lastly, limited knowledge about reproductive psychiatry leads many pregnant or breastfeeding parents to believe that they cannot take, or must discontinue, all psychiatric medication. This myth can lead birthing parents with existing mental health diagnoses to discontinue their psychotropic medications, which can negatively affect their mental health. In reality, many psychotropic medications, such as SSRI's, are considered relatively safe for use during the perinatal period.

 

Checking the facts about perinatal mental health can help alleviate any shame or guilt that may be preventing parents from speaking openly about how they truly feel. While there is still much work to be done in the field of perinatal mental health, there are resources and treatment centers available (listed below) for any parent who is struggling. It’s often said that it takes a village, and my hope for every parent is that they find their village—a place where they feel loved, supported, and can openly share how they really feel. 


Resources:

 
 
 

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