Additional Resources
Books. The following organizations maintain a comprehensive list of books about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders:
Colic. The Rule of Three says that colic exists when an otherwise normal, healthy baby cries for at least 3 hours a day for at least 3 days a week and has been doing this for at least 3 weeks. Learn more about colic at the University of Texas Colic Clinic.
Exercise Programs
Regular exercise is proven to have a positive benefit on mood. Moreover, meeting other new mothers can increase social support and decrease isolation. Look for prenatal or Mommy&Me exercise and yoga classes at local hospitals, community centers, gyms, and yoga studios. The following stroller-based exercise programs are designed specifically for mothers (and/or fathers) with their babies:
- Fit4Mom / Stroller Strides
- Baby Boot Camp
Long Distance Resources
Can’t find an expert close to home? Several resources are available online or via phone:
- Chat With An Expert offers weekly phone-in sessions with mental health professionals.
- Online PPD Support Group offers online moderated discussion forums about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
- Regroup Therapy provides individual therapy and group support via webcam.
DMV Perinatal Mental Health Resource Guide
This is a great resource for the Washington DC metropolitan area and includes listings of support groups, mental health professionals, and other resources for women experiencing PMADs. Learn more HERE.
Military Support
Recognizing that military mothers – whether military spouses or active duty – face a higher risk of postpartum depression, several organizations have support services tailored specifically for military families:
- Postpartum Support International has compiled research regarding military women and postpartum depression and provides volunteer support for military members and spouses.
- Operation Special Delivery offers free doula support for military mothers.
- Give An Hour provides free mental health services to military members and their families affected by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is conducting a series of studies regarding the effects of hormones on women’s mood disorders, including studies of postpartum depression. To learn more, contact Annie Shellswick at 301-402-9207 or annieshellswick@mail.nih.gov.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital Women’s Mood Disorders Center was created to study hormonally-triggered mood disorders and provides expert evaluation of women who suffer their symptoms.
Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Mental Health has an outstanding website about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, which includes general information as well as discussions about medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The mission of The Center is to provide state-of-the-art evaluation and ongoing care for women who suffer from a spectrum of psychiatric disorders and to improve the lives of patients and their families.
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders) offers cutting-edge clinical research services that contribute to breakthroughs in the scientific understanding of the mood disorders.
Stanford University Center for Neuroscience in Women’s Health is dedicated to establishing a comprehensive standard of care for women’s mental health services by providing innovative, state of the art treatment that culminates from the integration of biomedical research, clinical practice, and education
University of North Carolina Center for Women’s Mood Disorders is the home to the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, which includes the first free-standing inpatient perinatal psychiatry clinic in the United States. The mission of the Program is to provide state-of-the-art clinical care, research, and support groups to address the needs of women during this vulnerable time.
George Washington University’s Five Trimesters Clinic to provide evaluation, brief treatment, and referrals. This service accepts self-referred patients and those identified as being in need of psychiatric services during the course of infertility treatment, prenatal care, or early well-child visits.
