Elizabeth Johnson, RN, APRN, PMH-C

Experts discuss the importance of recognizing that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) can emerge before, during, or after pregnancy—often influenced by factors like pregnancy intention—and emphasize the need for comprehensive, nuanced diagnosis and holistic care that extends beyond postpartum depression to include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress syndrome, and other conditions, ensuring timely identification and support throughout the entire perinatal period.

Experts discuss how perinatal mental health conditions—including postpartum depression, which is distinct from transient postpartum blues—require careful clinical differentiation, precise assessment, and individualized care, emphasizing the importance of expanding awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring early, multidisciplinary intervention to support patient well-being and functional recovery.