PPD is more prevalent than you’d think, and it existed long before the medical industry started paying attention. Aside from puberty, the transition to parenthood is often the greatest transformation that one can undergo in their lifetime, bearing significant bio-psycho-social changes. Instead of just talking about PPD, many clinicians and researchers are beginning to focus on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). PPD refers to depression after birth, while there are many mood and anxiety disorders that can affect parents. PMADs encompass depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Understandably, 15-20% of women experience PMADs during or after the birth of their child. Ten percent of dads experience similar symptoms, and parents via adoption or surrogacy can also be affected...
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Kari Esh leads Boram Anywhere, a virtual postnatal support program for new parents. She's a certified lactation counselor, postpartum doula, and parent coach with a graduate degree in clinical psychology focused on the transition to motherhood and certification in perinatal mental health. She partners with clients to create long-term support systems that incorporate the needs and goals of all family members.
