Research « PIMHA

European Research

Riseup-PPD Training School and Main Meeting, 30th June-3rd July 2022.

PIMHA supports the Riseup-PPD Cost Action and helped with organising the Training School on Peripartum Mental Health Screening and the Main Meeting locally at the Valletta Campus.

The Research Innovation and Sustainable Pan-European Network in Peripartum Depression Disorder (Riseup-PPD) is an EU funded research network of professionals dedicated to the understanding of Peripartum Depression Disorder, from its prevention and assessment to its treatment and global impact. Riseup PPD aims at filling gaps in PPD research, practice and social awareness by developing updated reviews fostering research efforts on the standardisation of diagnostic criteria, the development of adequate screening tools and cost effectiveness evaluation of prevention and treatment programs. Additionally, the Action seeks to bridge multidisciplinary knowledge on the determinants of depressive symptoms in the peripartum period, and the mechanisms of action and change. Finally, Riseup-PPD also aims at building a shared database providing research teams with large quality-controlled datasets.

Local research

A local study entitled “The Prevalence of Perinatal Mental Health Disorders in Postnatal Women in Malta: A Cross-Sectional Study” is being conducted by Dr Rachel Buhagiar. This study will help us to better understand the overall local burden of postnatal mental health conditions and associated risk factors. Findings from this study will also be of interest to policymakers in determining whether there is a need for more investment in this specialised field, including a need for early screening and detection, and further development of interventions to reduce the occurrence of these disorders and to increase support for perinatal women.

What is perinatal mental health?

Perinatal mental illness refers to any mental health condition affecting the mood, behaviour, wellbeing and/or daily functioning of an expecting or new parent. The term ‘perinatal’ refers to the time from conception and pregnancy through to the first year after birth. “Antenatal’ refers to the pregnancy period up until the birth. ‘Postnatal’ refers to the first year after birth.

1 in 5 expecting or new mothers and 1 in 10 expecting or new fathers will experience perinatal anxiety and/or depression symptoms. Other perinatal mental illnesses like postnatal psychosis are less common than anxiety or depression, but all perinatal mental illnesses respond well to treatment and there’s strong hope for recovery. Left untreated, perinatal mental illnesses can have long lasting impact on parents, partners, babies and families, and therefore timely detection and treatment is fundamental.

Key to the early access of effective mental health support is to be able to recognise the signs of not coping and to find the courage to ask for help.

Research

Depression During Pregnancy & Postpartum

Someone with PPD might experience feelings of anger, sadness, irritability, guilt, lack of interest in the baby, changes in eating and sleeping habits, trouble concentrating, thoughts of hopelessness and sometimes even thoughts of harming the baby or themselves.

Where to Seek Help

Anxiety During Pregnancy & Postpartum

Somenone with PPA may experience extreme worries and fears, often over the health and safety of the baby. Some people have panic attacks and might feel shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, a feeling of losing control, and numbness and tingling.

Pregnancy or Postpartum (OCD)

Someone with PPOCD can have repetitive, upsetting and unwanted thoughts or mental images (obsessions), and sometimes they need to do certain things over and over (compulsions) to reduce the anxiety caused by those thoughts. These individuals find these thoughts very scary and unusual and are very likely to ever act on them.

Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PPTSD is often caused by a traumatic or frightening childbirth or past trauma, and symptoms may include flashbacks of the trauma with feelings of anxiety and the need to avoid things related to that event.

Bipolar Mood Disorders

Many people are diagnosed for the first time with bipolar depression or mania during pregnancy or postpartum. Bipolar mood disorder can appear as a severe depression; individuals may need informed evaluation and follow-up on past and current mood changes and cycles to assess whether there is a bipolar dynamic.

Postpartum Psychosis

PPP sufferers sometimes see and hear voices or images that others can't, called hallucinations. They may believe things that aren't true and distrust those around them. They may also have periods of confusion and memory loss, and seem manic. This severe condition is dangerous so it is important to seek help immediately.

Remember

We are glad you are here. We want you to know you are not alone and you are not to blame. Help is available. You will get better.

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Perinatal Mental Health Psychopharmacology Workshop

26th October 2024

Hilltop Gardens, Naxxar

PIMHA Perinatal Mental Health Conference 2024

25th October 2024

Hilltop Gardens, Naxxar

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