1 in 5 Women Experience Perinatal Mood Disorders—You Are Not Alone

Motherhood is often portrayed as a time of joy, bonding, and fulfillment. But for 1 in 5 women, the experience is far more complex. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)—which include postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and birth trauma—can leave mothers feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and struggling to recognize themselves.

If this sounds familiar, know this: You are not alone, and help is available.

What Are Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders?

PMADs can affect women during pregnancy and throughout the first year postpartum. They are not a sign of weakness, failure, or a lack of love for your baby—they are real, treatable conditions that many mothers experience.

Common PMADs Include:

Postpartum Depression – Feelings of sadness, guilt, or hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, and difficulty bonding with your baby. Postpartum Anxiety & Panic Attacks – Constant worry, racing thoughts, physical symptoms like dizziness or nausea, and difficulty sleeping. Postpartum OCD – Intrusive, distressing thoughts about harm coming to your baby, leading to compulsive behaviors like excessive checking or cleaning.

Birth Trauma & PTSD – Flashbacks, panic, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness after a traumatic birth or NICU experience.

Why Do PMADs Happen?

The transition to motherhood is one of the most profound life changes a person can experience. And while every parent’s journey is unique, there are common contributing factors to PMADs, including:

✔️ Hormonal shifts after birth

✔️ Sleep deprivation & exhaustion

✔️ Birth trauma or NICU stays

✔️ Unrealistic societal expectations of motherhood

✔️ Limited support & lack of resources

The truth is, maternal mental health struggles are not just “baby blues.” They can impact every aspect of your well-being—but with the right support, healing is possible.

How We Can Help: Compassionate Therapy for Moms

At Palacios Crew Counseling, we specialize in maternal mental health because we know motherhood isn’t meant to be survived—it’s meant to be supported. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, or birth trauma, we offer therapy designed to help you regain a sense of balance, strength, and self-compassion.

Our Services for Maternal Mental Health:

Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Therapy – Helping you manage mood changes, anxiety, and stress in a way that feels supportive and sustainable.

Birth Trauma & PTSD Support – EMDR and trauma-informed therapy for parents who have experienced difficult, unexpected, or traumatic births.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support – Space to grieve, process, and navigate the pain of miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, and infertility.

Therapy for Pregnancy After Loss – Managing grief, hope, and fear when expecting again after a previous loss.

If You’re Struggling, Here’s What You Can Do Today

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of PMADs, here are a few ways to get support right now:

💛 Validate Your Experience. Tell yourself: I am not alone. This is not my fault. I deserve support.

💛 Prioritize Rest & Self-Care. Even small moments of rest can make a difference.

💛 Seek Professional Help. Therapy can provide coping tools, emotional validation, and a safe space to process your experience.

You Deserve Support—Reach Out Today

You don’t have to do this alone. Perinatal mood disorders are real, they are common, and they are treatable. With the right support, you can begin to feel like yourself again.

Contact Palacios Crew Counseling today to take the first step toward healing. We are here for you.