Mental health is important at every stage of life, but it's especially crucial for pregnant women since mental health can also affect the health of a woman's pregnancy. If you experience a low mood, increase in anxiety, or other troublesome symptoms during pregnancy, you should seek therapeutic help as soon as possible. These are four mental health conditions that can be addressed by mental health services for pregnant women:
1. Depression
Some pregnant women struggle with depression. Depression can develop during pregnancy but, in some cases, it may also have been present before pregnancy. Some common antidepressants are unsafe during pregnancy, and women may choose to stop taking these medications until their babies are born. However, ceasing the psychiatric medication can cause the symptoms of depression to return. If you're experiencing depression, you can speak to a counselor who can help you through talk therapy. Additionally, your doctor can help you find an antidepressant that is safe to take while you are pregnant.
2. Anxiety
Anxiety is characterized by an inability to stop worrying or the feeling of constantly worrying about too many things. Pregnancy can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety for a number of reasons. Some women worry about labor and delivery, while others worry about being able to be good mothers for their children. Additionally, pregnancy causes a surge in hormones that can lead to mood swings, which can further contribute to anxiety. Pregnant women can seek anxiety counseling, which can teach them methods of coping with their worries so they can reduce their stress levels for healthier pregnancies. Meditation, deep breathing, and cognitive-behavioral therapy can all reduce a person's anxiety levels over time.
3. Addiction
Women share blood and nutrients with their unborn children, which means that any substance a mother ingests also gets passed on to her child. This is why substance use can have serious consequences for pregnant women. Women are advised to stop using alcohol, nicotine, and illicit drugs during pregnancy in order to prevent birth defects. However, quitting substance use cold turkey can be difficult, and in some cases, it can even be dangerous. Women who suffer from addictions can benefit from addiction counseling to help them stop or reduce their substance use safely.
4. Withdrawal
Women who choose to stop using substances entirely for the duration of their pregnancies may experience withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, withdrawal can be dangerous for unborn babies. Counselors can provide support for withdrawal symptoms while women seek medical support for the physical aspects of withdrawal.
For more information, contact a counseling clinic like Family Center for Recovery.
Share11 April 2022
When I initially started the therapy process about 10 years ago, I didn't take the time to scout out the right counselor. Instead, I just went to the first counselor that my doctor recommended, and the experience was less than enjoyable. I realized that I might need to do a little research to find the right counselor for me, so I took the time to carefully evaluate my needs and research different clinics in my area. I was able to find an amazing counselor who really seemed to have it under control, and it was incredibly beneficial to see the difference that it made. This blog is all about finding the right counselor.
