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PMAD – Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders…this is the new term the medical field is trying to switch to instead of labeling everything “postpartum depression.” These disorders can arise anytime during pregnancy and after. PMADs include depression and anxiety in pregnancy, postpartum depression, postpartum panic disorder, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder, and postpartum psychosis. I recently had the opportunity to interview Elizabeth Veltrie, a therapist who works at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. Elizabeth is also a mother who has experienced her own PMAD issues in the past. Mrs. Veltrie runs the “Strong As A Mother Support Group” which is a peer-led, mom-to-mom support group held every Tuesday from 11-12 (ish) for new mothers who are experiencing perinatal mood or anxiety disorders. You can check out the group info here
A little bit about Elizabeth: having been a therapist at both Monmouth Medical Center and Clara Maass Medical Center, Elizabeth is now an adjunct therapist at RWJ Somerset. As a mother who has suffered from postpartum anxiety, she facilitates the Strong as a Mother Support Group, a peer-led mom-to-mom support group for women struggling with Perinatal Mood
and Anxiety Disorders.
Q & A with Elizabeth :
– What experience do you have with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders?
” My daughter was born in May and I started noticing some signs of perinatal anxiety after she was born. I had a little bit of difficult labor, some things didn’t go as planned…I ended up having to have a c-section and had trouble breastfeeding. I started having some things that reflected postpartum depression and anxiety. It wasn’t long before I noticed my daughter would be sleeping but I couldn’t because I’m so anxious about if she’s okay, or if everything is alright. So, a couple of months later I ended up reaching to a woman named Lisa Tremain, she’s down at Monmouth Medical Center and runs the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Center….they have an entire program which is phenomenal.”
– How did you start the Strong As A Mother support group?
” I actually reached out to Lisa Tremaine for personal treatment, and because she provides this support group training! I knew I wanted to do this group because there are not many support groups, especially in this area. The stats are that 1 in 5 moms will experience this, and it’s important that there are groups like Strong As A Mother out there. The Bloom Foundation is where the training is based out of.”
– What are some tips and advice you have for the mothers you work with and help on a daily basis?
” I like to end group every week with some self-love things and have everyone say something they are going to do for themselves that week. It can be as simple as going grocery shopping by yourself, or for example, I have a woman in the group who gets her nails done every week. Her husband knows he takes the baby, and she has that time to herself. I think that’s a good way to conclude group because sometimes it can get really heavy, we’re talking about some serious things, so finishing group with talking about doing something nice for yourself ends it on a positive note. Self-love is so important.”
– What is the number one question or topic you’ve been asked about by mothers?
” I would say the number one thing that gets brought up is sleep deprivation. A lot of moms want to know how they can get their babies to sleep, or how can THEY get sleep. A lot of the moms’ in the group found themselves not “sleeping when the baby was sleeping” due to having anxiety and fear. I think that’s the main question and a rude awakening for a lot of people. Especially with someone who is dealing with depression and anxiety, it’s even harder. The topic of not feeling connected to the baby comes up quite a bit, which could be one of the symptoms of postpartum depression, is not having that connection or feeling like you are really distant. Rage is also another topic that comes up a lot in the group.”
– So the term is leaving PPD, and going towards PMAD now, right?
” We are trying, yes! The reason is that people associate postpartum depression with feeling sad or feeling really depressed. Like to term itself calls it. Where PMADs, perinatal mood, and anxiety disorders, kinda fall under the umbrella. So within PMADs, you could have postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, and there is even postpartum psychosis. That term is a broader scope to fit more women.”
– Do you need to be a certified therapist to run a support group like Strong As A Mother?
” No! The majority of moms that were at my training were just regular moms’ who have been through perinatal mood disorders themselves. The training is through the Bloom Foundation and takes about two days to complete. “
– How long can you attend the Strong As A Mother support group?
” Most moms I’ve found stop coming around 12 weeks when their maternity leave is up. But you are more than welcome to come as long as you’d like! There is no time limit on attendance. I have a mom in my group now who has been coming for the last year. It does get better but I’ve noticed things just look different throughout motherhood. People need support. The unfortunate stigma moms’ have and are scared of. I’ve heard and read from so many new moms’ who were scared their babies were going to get taken away, or they were afraid to speak up in fear of being put in a psych ward. It’s all of these “I’m going to keep my composure and lie” moments. I get a lot of referrals from OBGYNs here at the hospital, so that’s the benefit of me working here and holding the group here these new moms’ are given the group as a resource. They know me here, new moms’ know the group happens! We usually send home a brochure in the discharge packet. We always bring it up, even if you’re not feeling it right now, keep the group in mind for the future.”
Overall I had a really great time interviewing Elizabeth, and am so thankful women like her have the courage to speak up!
I am also a mom who has experienced perinatal mood and anxiety disorders – PMAD. If you want to read a bit about my own story you can here . I am looking into doing a training myself to run a support group in our area after learning about Elizabeth’s group!
Just remember you are not alone, mama!
This post was in collaboration with NJ Mom and RWJBarnabas Health.
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