What Are PMADs — and Could You Have One?

If you've heard the term “PMAD” and weren't sure what it meant, you're not alone. It's a clinical acronym that doesn't always make it into everyday conversation — but it describes something that affects far more people than most realize.

PMAD stands for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. It's an umbrella term for a range of mental health conditions that can occur during pregnancy or in the postpartum period — up to a year or more after birth. Postpartum depression is the most well-known, but it's just one piece of a much larger picture.

What falls under the PMAD umbrella?

PMADs include:

• Postpartum depression

• Postpartum anxiety

• Postpartum OCD

• Postpartum PTSD (often connected to birth trauma)

• Postpartum rage

• Perinatal depression and anxiety (during pregnancy, not just after)

• Postpartum psychosis (rare but serious)

Many people are surprised to learn that anxiety is actually more common than depression in the perinatal period — and that PMADs can begin during pregnancy, not just after the baby arrives. In fact, non-birthing parents can also develop PMADs, so it is important for them to get support as well.

What does it actually feel like?

PMADs don't always look like what we see in awareness campaigns. Yes, sometimes it's crying and not being able to get out of bed. But it can also look like:

• Intrusive thoughts that frighten you

• Constant worry that something is wrong with your baby

• Feeling disconnected from your baby or yourself

• Irritability or rage that feels out of character

• Difficulty sleeping even when the baby sleeps

• A sense that something is just... off

One of the most important things to know: having intrusive thoughts doesn't make you a bad parent or a dangerous one. It's one of the most common and least talked about symptoms of perinatal OCD and anxiety — and it's treatable.

Could you have one?

PMADs are the most common complication of childbirth, affecting roughly 1 in 5 birthing people. They're also significantly under-diagnosed, partly because symptoms get written off as normal new-parent exhaustion, and partly because of the shame and stigma that still surrounds maternal mental health. If you’d like to learn more about PMADs or see what kind of resources are available to you, please check out Postpartum Support International.

If you've been feeling unlike yourself — during pregnancy or after birth — it's worth paying attention to. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support. And what you're experiencing is not a character flaw or a sign that you're failing at parenthood.

PMADs are medical conditions. They respond to treatment. And you don't have to just push through.

Disclaimer: This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Reading or engaging with this content does not constitute therapy, nor should it be considered professional advice or a substitute for therapy. Everyone's experiences are unique, so what's shared here may or may not resonate with you. My blog includes a mix of personally written posts and content developed with AI assistance for marketing purposes. For my unfiltered voice, visit my Substack.