If you’re pregnant or you’ve given birth in the past year and you’ve been experiencing intrusive thoughts (they can get pretty dark but are not suicidal) and overwhelming nervousness and irritability, you may be struggling with a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.

In case you aren’t aware of the statistics, postpartum mood disorders, such as postpartum depression and anxiety are the #1 complication of childbirth.

Our cultural expectations of women and the lack of support for them is a huge part of the problem, not something that’s broken inside you. And even if you’re genetically predisposed to anxiety and depression, that’s not your fault.

As a licensed therapist certified in perinatal mental health, I have a few things to offer on this topic, and they’re all grounded in reality and science.

Regardless of whether or not the curve has begun to flatten, our way of life is likely going to be different from now on in many ways. Let’s embrace the changes that will make us healthier. Why strive to “get back to normal” when we can evolve to be better than before?

Finding a therapist is already an intimidating experience for most people, so adding the crisis of a global pandemic to the mix could be paralyzing to say the least. Perhaps it’s time to dispel a few myths about starting therapy online during the coronavirus outbreak and addres the reasons why you may be considering COVID-19 to be the perfect excuse to hold off on contacting a therapist. (Psst, it isn’t.)