Additionally, a study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that perinatal episodes are prevalent across the spectrum of mood disorders. This seems to reflect that there is a transference of disorders through a mother’s psychological state in pregnancy. More studies have to be conducted to confirm these findings but they are intriguing.
Recurrent Major Depression
When individual or group counseling, support groups or diversions fail to lift a pregnant woman out of depression, it may be time to face the possibility that you are dealing with recurrent major depression (RMD).It is to be noted that major depression strikes twice as many women as men with a lifetime occurrence of 21 percent for women and nearly 13 percent for men.
If the depression lasts more than two weeks and there is an apparent loss of interest in activities, this may be RMD. Other symptoms include: restlessness or feeling like you are slowing down; feeling overwhelmed; recurrent thoughts of death or suicide; trouble sleeping or sleeping too much; fatigue; feelings of guilt, sadness or worthlessness; lack of energy, or withdrawing from friends.
Continued RMD by the mother could result in poor nutrition; smoking; drinking; suicidal thoughts and behaviors, prolonged or premature labor and low birth weights.
The Flip Side of Bipolar Disorder – Mania
For those women who have bipolar disorder (BD), more than 20 percent of pregnancies were affected by mania. Manic episodes typically last a few days to a few weeks. Symptoms include impulsive behaviors, decreased need of sleep, racing, disorganized thoughts and a jump in personal energy levels.