During pregnancy, women need to take care of both their physical health and their mental well-being. The mother’s mental health influences not only her own condition but also the growth and development of the fetus in the womb. Unfortunately, mental disorders in pregnant women are often missed and do not receive proper treatment.

Mental Disorders in Pregnancy

Mental disorders can occur in anyone, including pregnant women. In pregnancy, these mental health problems can be caused by hormonal changes and various external factors, such as a history of sexual violence, going through pregnancy as a single parent, conflicts with a partner, financial pressures, and other stressful situations.

Some mental disorders that pregnant women are at risk of experiencing include:

Depression

Antenatal depression is one of the most common mental disorders that occur in pregnant women. This condition may start even before conception and then continue or become more severe during pregnancy.

Depression in pregnancy is often marked by persistent sadness and low energy throughout the day, increased irritability, loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable, and ongoing negative thoughts. If these symptoms continue and worsen while you are pregnant, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Anxiety Disorders

In addition to depression, anxiety disorders are another mental disorder that pregnant women frequently experience. Anxiety disorders are characterized by feelings of excessive worry or fear about events that have not yet happened. This is often driven by worries about whether labor will go smoothly, whether the baby will be born healthy and complete, whether you will be able to be a good parent, and similar concerns.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a mental disorder marked by repetitive behaviors and thoughts that are difficult to control. This condition affects around 1 in 100 women during pregnancy. OCD that appears in pregnancy is called perinatal OCD, and it can continue into the period after childbirth.

Perinatal OCD is usually caused by intense worry and anxiety about the baby’s health, which then leads to overly protective behavior. For example, a mother may repeatedly wash the baby’s clothes, sterilize baby bottles many times, or check every few minutes to see whether the baby is sleeping safely and comfortably.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders in pregnant women can occur at any stage of pregnancy. The eating disorders that may arise include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Many pregnant women do not realize that they are experiencing an eating disorder. If this condition is not properly treated, it can cause nutritional deficiencies that affect the fetus.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder that was already present before pregnancy may become more severe during pregnancy. This risk can be anticipated by consulting an obstetrician or psychiatrist before planning a pregnancy.

According to WebMD, pregnant women with bipolar disorder have a risk of hospitalization that is seven times higher than pregnant women who do not have bipolar disorder. On the other hand, pregnant women who suddenly stop taking their bipolar medication because they are pregnant have a greater risk of experiencing a relapse. Therefore, pregnant women who are already known to have bipolar disorder should immediately consult a doctor.

It is very important for pregnant women to look after both their physical and mental health throughout pregnancy. If you notice signs of a mental disorder while you are pregnant, do not hesitate to seek medical help so that you can receive the right treatment.

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