PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND THE DC METRO AREA

Natasha Olliver, PA-C

Postpartum Depression and Pregnancy-Related Mood Disorders

  • Are you feeling sad or depressed?

  • Do you feel more irritable or angry with those around you?

  • Are you having difficulty bonding with your baby?

  • Do you feel anxious or panicky?

  • Are you having problems with eating or sleeping?

  • Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind?

  • Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”?

  • Do you feel like you never should have become a parent?

  • Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?

Any of these symptoms, and many more, could indicate that you have a form of perinatal mental health disorder, such as postpartum depression. While many parents experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15 to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. Please know that with informed care you can prevent a worsening of these symptoms and can fully recover. There is no reason to continue to suffer.

Parents of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mental health disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover. Although the term “postpartum depression” is most often used, there are actually several forms of illness that parents may experience, including:

This and more information may be found at www.postpartum.net

Proper medication can help.

During your treatment for pregnancy-related mood disorders, we will:

  • Explore potential root causes of the symptoms you are experiencing

  • Discuss your symptoms in a safe, judgment-free environment

  • Work together to develop a treatment plan that incorporates medication into your life only as necessary and in a way that is compatible with your life, pregnancy, and breastfeeding (as applicable) goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • During the first session, we discuss your reasons for seeking treatment, current symptoms, and any treatments that you have tried in the past. I will ask about your past medical, mental health, and birth history. However, we don’t have to discuss all of this in the first meeting if you are not ready. We will discuss your treatment preferences and establish a plan for moving forward.

  • PMADs is an acronym for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. This is a category of symptoms that women experience during and after pregnancy and may include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic episodes, intrusive thoughts, and, in severe cases, psychosis.

  • After discussing your history and current symptoms, I will let you know if you are an appropriate candidate for medication. We will start the medication and I will follow up you every 2-3 weeks to make sure that your symptoms are improving and that you are not experiencing intolerable side effects. In some cases, you may continue breastfeeding while taking these medications.

  • Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. This does occur sometimes, and help is available.

  • Contact me to schedule a consultation. I will answer any questions you may have. If we both agree that it is a good fit, we will schedule your first session.

Ready to get started? Contact me today.