What is a perinatal mood disorder (PMD)?
Between 10 percent and 20 percent of women develop a mood disorder during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy and up to one year after delivery. These mood disorders are characterized by feelings of anxiety, sadness, depression, panic, frustration and confusion. They affect women of all ages and all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. They range in severity from mild and transient to severe, requiring treatment. Mood disorders cause significant personal distress and adversely affect daily functioning.
