A new analysis out of Beyond Blue has found many new parents search for answers online to questions they\u2019re too afraid to ask aloud, prompting the organisation to launch a new perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) campaign.<\/p>\n
Both men and women can experience perinatal depression and anxiety, with risks increasing during pregnancy and 12 months post-birth.<\/p>\n
Each year, one in 10 women will experience depression during pregnancy, one in six women will experience postnatal depression and anxiety; and one in 10 fathers will suffer postnatal depression.<\/p>\n
As part of the analysis, Beyond Blue evaluated current Google data trends for terms that may indicate signs of anxiety and depression. The results found:<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cI don\u2019t love my baby\u201d was searched 3,840 times last year<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cAm I a bad mother?\u201d was searched 3,800 times last year<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cI hate being pregnant\u201d was searched 15,600 times last year<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cDoes my baby love me?\u201d was searched 4,680 times last year<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cI feel alone in my pregnancy\u201d was searched 2,040 times last year Beyond Blue clinical adviser Dr Grant Blashki said many new parents may not think their behaviour is a sign of perinatal anxiety of depression, or that there is help available.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany parents navigate the journey alone, believing symptoms are just part of being a new parent, but it\u2019s important to recognise when feels affect day-to-day life,\u201d Dr Blashki said.<\/p>\n
\u201cModern mums and dads are also up against a type of stressor related to social media: the pressure to be a perfect parent, which often paints a false and highly selective representation of what parents should experience day-today.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeking and accepting help is critical for parents, however the first step in doing so is recognising the signs of depression and anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Blashki said Beyond Blue is encouraging new mums to complete the \u201cMum\u2019s Mental Health Checklist\u201d \u2013 a series of 10 questions designed to give new and expectant mothers, along with their health professionals, an insight into how they\u2019re coping.<\/p>\n
The checklist forms part of the PNDA campaign. To find out more, visit healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au or access the Mental Health Checklist for Mums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A new analysis out of Beyond Blue has found many new parents search for answers online to questions they\u2019re too afraid to ask aloud, prompting the organisation to launch a new perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) campaign. Both men and women can experience perinatal depression and anxiety, with risks increasing during pregnancy and 12 months […]<\/p>\n