Behavioral Health
Helping a Loved One With a Perinatal Mood Disorder
If someone you love is showing symptoms of a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, ask her how she is feeling, and then, really listen to what she tells you. An understanding attitude helps.
Above all, be patient. Remember, no one is at fault if your family member or friend is suffering from a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.
Some affected women may appear fine. You need to not only listen to her feelings, but pay attention to her behavior. If more than two weeks have passed since the birth of the baby and she is still not acting like herself, she may be affected. Trust your instincts.
If she is hesitant to seek treatment on her own, help her. She may need extra support to understand that she will not feel better unless she gets professional attention.
Treating a mood disorder takes time. Spouses or partners should take on extra responsibilities with the baby and household chores. They also can ask others for assistance. If someone offers to help, accept it. Other family members and friends can offer to perform specific duties, such as baby sitting, making a meal or doing laundry.
Understand she needs time for herself. Encourage her to engage in activities she enjoys, such as exercise, an outing to the coffee shop or a phone call to a friend.
If you are a partner or spouse, spend some time alone with her. This will give you two time to reconnect as a couple without the demands of your baby. Keep the focus on gentle affection and reassurance that you will get through this together.
Perinatal Behavioral Health Program
4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, P.O. Box 6001
Newark, DE 19718 directions
302-733-4226
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