For Mothers and Families: Navigating Treatment
Although the Periscope Project is not designed as a direct service for patients, the following provides mothers and families information about navigating treatment for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).
How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Changes in mood, sleep, energy, or behavior during or after pregnancy can be part of PMADs. These conditions are very treatable and your health care team wants to support you.
If you’ve noticed emotional, physical, or behavioral changes that are concerning you, share these with your provider. You can talk with:
- Your OB/GYN
- Your family medicine or primary care provider
- A mental health professional
Preparing for your appointment can make the conversation easier. Here are a few tips.
Make a list of your concerns
Write down what you've been noticing, mood changes, sleep issues, physical symptoms, scary thoughts, or anything else that feels different for you. Identify how it is different from your baseline.
Bring your questions
You might ask:
- How is this condition treated?
- What should I expect with treatment?
- Are there therapy or medication options?
- What can I do at home to support my mental health?
Follow up with the resources or referrals you receive
Healing takes time and you deserve support. If your provider recommends therapy, follow-up visits, or other resources, keep those appointments whenever you can. If something isn’t working for you, let your provider know and they will work with you to adjust your treatment plan.
Mental Health Care Settings
There are several different types of treatment for mental health conditions. They vary based on your needs. Most people have symptom improvement with outpatient care. Patients may need to move within these levels of care throughout their journey to recovery.
Support Groups: Virtual or in-person groups that are peer led or professional led. Support groups offer education, community and connection with others facing similar symptoms or challenges.
Outpatient Care: Individual therapy and/or medication management. Appointments may be in person or virtual (depending on the provider) and can last from 30 to 60 minutes.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP): Structured, intensive, non-hospital based treatment. Treatment typically consists of 2-4 hours of programming 3-5 days per week for 4-6 weeks. Programs may be virtual or in person.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP): Structured, intensive, non-hospital based treatment. Treatment typically consists of a full day of programming, 5 days per week for a week for a set number of weeks. Programs may be virtual or in person.
Inpatient Hospitalization: 24/7 secure and intensive treatment within a psychiatric facility focused on safety, diagnosis and medication management. Lengths of stay are typically between 4-10 days prior to stepping down to a less restrictive level of care.
Types of Outpatient Treatment Providers
| Professional Title | Education | Services Provided |
| Psychiatrist | MD, DO | Diagnosis Medication management Some do talk therapy/psychotherapy |
| Psychiatric Advanced Practice Providers | PMHNP, PA-C | Diagnosis Medication management |
| Psychologist | PsyD, PhD | Diagnosis Talk therapy/psychotherapy |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker | LCSW | Diagnosis Talk therapy/psychotherapy Connection to community resources |
| Licensed Professional Counselor | LPC | Diagnosis Talk therapy/psychotherapy |
| Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | LMFT | Diagnosis Talk therapy/psychotherapy |
Prescribing health care providers, like physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in OB/GYN or family medicine may also prescribe mental health medications. Depending on the severity of symptoms and diagnosis, some patients with PMADs can have their mental health medications managed by their OB/GYN or family medicine provider.
Postpartum Support International offers a certificate for perinatal mental health. When searching for a healthcare provider, the acronym PMH-C stands for perinatal mental health certification and means the provider has completed additional training specific to mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum and passed an exam.
Get Help Now
Periscope is not for patients. We are not a crisis line. If you need help now, please contact one of these organizations that provide free, confidential support 24/7/365.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text 988
National Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Call or Text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Are you a loved one of someone who is struggling?
Moms' Mental Health Matters: Partners, Family, and Friends
National Child & Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)