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Wildwood Psychiatric Resource Center's
REPRODUCTIVE PSYCHIATRY PROGRAM Jessica
Harrison, MSSW LCSW, Program Coordinator
Pregnancy and postpartum disorders are family issues. Our program was developed to address the unique needs of families during
this period.
We offer:
Preconception Consult Medication Consultation While Pregnant and/or Breastfeeding Postpartum Depression Prevention Planning
Pregnancy and Postpartum Assessment and Treatment Couple's
and Family Therapy, Partner Support, Sibling Adjustment Perinatal Loss Support Perimenopausal Assessment and Treatment Services Include:
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Educational material · Individual, couple's, family therapy for women and men
· Postpartum video
viewing
· Weekly postpartum therapy group
· Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
· Inclusion
of family members when appropriate
· Medication and nonmedication management of symptoms · Birth and Postpartum Doula Services Reproductive Psychiatry Program Clinicians Jessica Harrison,
LCSW Rita Hill, PsyD Ann Howard, MD Marcia Kahn, MD Glenda Peterson,
PMHNP Annie Petrillo, PMHNP Lynne Phillips-Werbel, LCSW Marie Soller, MD Katie Ugolini,
PhD *Please call 503.629.2131 for an initial appointment*
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PREGNANCY:
Pregnancy is a time of massive physical
and psychological changes. Reactions to these changes cannot be fully anticipated, and it is not uncommon for a woman to experience
anxiety and/or depression during her pregnancy, especially if she has risk factors. The symptoms described below may also
occur during pregnancy, and then it's very important to develop a plan to decrease postpartum risk.
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POSTPARTUM:
Your baby has arrived. Instead of joy,
you may feel sad, depressed, anxious, even angry. You are not alone. Many women experience significant postpartum symptoms.
It is important to realize that these disorders are not self induced. A woman cannot “pull herself together” any more than
she could if she had the flu, diabetes, or any other physical illness.
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WHAT CAUSES POSTPARTUM ILLNESS?
Unfotunately,individuals
with these disorders are often blamed. Mechanisms involved in postpartum illness are not completely understood. Research indicates
that these disorders are biochemical and hormonal. The brain’s neurotransmitters are directly responsible for the way we feel.
They are affected by heredity, hormonal changes, and environmental stress.
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It's important to know that these problems
respond very well to treatment, and you can expect to get better.
Are you experiencing the following symptoms?
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- DEPRESSION:
- 10 to 20 percent of women who give birth develop postpartum depression.
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Intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, and despair do not go away in 1-2 weeks. Instead,the feelings increase with each week
and may last for a year or more.
Other symptoms include:
- Feelings of doubt, guilt, helplessness,hopelessness and worthlessness
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Trouble handling the usual responsibilities
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Marked changes in appetite
- Loss of
interest in things that used to bring pleasure, including sex
- Anxiety and worry
- Thoughts of harming yourself
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Irritability and anger
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- PANIC ATTACKS:
Women may experience severe anxiety attacks
which include the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or faintness
- Increased heart rate,
chest pain
- Sweating, nausea or choking
- Numbness and tingling
- Fear of dying or going crazy
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- OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE
SYMPTOMS:
- Recurrent, intrusive thoughts, urges or
images
that cause a great deal of distress,
i.e. excessive concerns about the infant’s
health or of harming the infant.
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The need to preform repetitive behaviors
that seem senseless, i.e. compulsive house
cleaning or checking.
- POSTPARTUM
PSYCHOSIS:
- One in 1,000 women develop this severe
reaction.
- Symptoms are severe and may include
insomnia,
hallucinations, agitation and
bizarre feelings or behavior.
- Postpartum psychosis is serious
and requires immediate
medical
help.
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