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:
\n\u2022 \u201cI don\u2019t love my baby\u201d was searched 3,840 times last year
\n\u2022 \u201cAm I a bad mother?\u201d was searched 3,800 times last year
\n\u2022 \u201cI hate being pregnant\u201d was searched 15,600 times last year
\n\u2022 \u201cDoes my baby love me?\u201d was searched 4,680 times last year
\n\u2022 \u201cI feel alone in my pregnancy\u201d was searched 2,040 times last year<\/p>\n
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 indoing 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