What is Postpartum Anxiety?
Perinatal Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive or uncontrollable worry that impacts the mother’s functioning. Perinatal is an inclusive term for both the period before childbirth during pregnancy and the period after childbirth. Perinatal anxiety is highly prevalent. Approximately 8.5-10.5% of pregnant women experience perinatal GAD and approximately 4.4%-10.8% of women experience GAD during the postpartum period. For some women, these symptoms begin in pregnancy and persist into the postpartum period. Approximately 20% of pregnant women experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy. Symptoms of perinatal anxiety make it hard for the mother to function which can influence mother-baby bonding and the infant’s neurodevelopmental outcomes.
About Prenatal Anxiety
Nearly 1 in 5 pregnant women experience significant anxiety or depression during pregnancy. Pregnant women who experienced prior miscarriage or fertility concerns are at higher risk for experiencing anxiety during their pregnancy. Pregnancy after loss can be an especially stressful experience and the worries can be overwhelming. Other factors like previous episodes of anxiety or family history can put certain women at increased risk for anxiety during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Perinatal Anxiety
- Excessive worry
- Worrying about a number of different events or activities
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Muscle tension
- Irritability or feeling quick to anger
- Trouble sleeping
- Often times this involves excessive checking the baby or worrying about the baby while the baby is sleeping
Treatment for Perinatal Anxiety
Treatment strategies vary depending on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. I utilize a variety of evidence-based approaches including mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With more severe symptoms, psychiatric medication may be beneficial either on its own or in combination with therapy. I am happy to coordinate collaborative care with your prescriber.
Details
$250 / Initial Session (90 min)
$200 / Follow-up Session (55 min)
I am out-of-network with most major insurance carriers. I provide documentation called a “superbill” with which many clients have successfully received reimbursement from their insurance carrier. Please call your health insurance company to ask about the out-of-network behavioral health benefits associated with your specific plan. You may want to ask specifically about CPT codes 90791 (initial session) and 90837 (follow-up session). Because sessions are virtual, you will want to make sure that your insurance company allows for telehealth for behavioral health services.
I accept TRICARE East insurance as a non-network provider. TRICARE East clients located in Maryland are eligible. Please inquire directly so I can provide a full explanation.