Managing Suicidal Feelings During Pregnancy: A Guide
Suicidal Thoughts During Pregnancy: Understanding the Risks and Seeking Help
Pregnancy, a time of joy and anticipation, can also be a period of significant emotional turmoil for some women. A growing body of research indicates that suicidal thoughts during pregnancy are a complex issue, with multiple factors contributing to the risk.
Mental Health and Social Stressors
Depression, a strong predictor of suicidal ideation, significantly increases the risk for pregnant women. Women with depressive symptoms are about 13 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, according to one study. Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and a history of trauma, including childhood abuse, also independently increase the risk. Socioeconomic factors such as being single, low-income, or belonging to marginalized groups can intensify the risk.
Hormonal Shifts and Emotional Challenges
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to a range of emotional and psychological symptoms, such as mood swings, increased anxiety, and symptoms of depression. These changes, coupled with worries about the baby's health, body changes, parenthood, finances, and relationship changes, can exacerbate the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Seeking Help and Self-Care
Creating and sticking to a self-care routine is an excellent way to manage stress during pregnancy. Effective self-care practices include mindfulness practices, gentle exercise, going for a walk, being in nature, engaging in activities you enjoy, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and seeking support from support groups, both online and in-person.
Therapy can also be a valuable resource for processing emotions, understanding the root causes of suicidal thoughts, and building effective coping skills. Your OB-GYN is trained to help with mental well-being during pregnancy and can screen for perinatal mental health concerns.
Immediate Help
If you're in immediate danger, call or text 988 now. Talking to someone you trust can make a powerful difference in your mental well-being while pregnant. It's crucial to prioritize safety first and reach out to a mental health crisis line, your OB-GYN, emergency services, or Postpartum Support International if you're having suicidal thoughts while pregnant.
Research and Hope
Research shows that there are several safe psychotropic medications to take during pregnancy that affect brain activity to impact mood, thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Studies indicate that suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm among pregnant women almost tripled between 2006 and 2017, but with increased awareness and support, the number of women suffering in silence can be reduced.
[1] American Psychological Association. (2018). Suicide during pregnancy and postpartum: An evidence-based review and clinical recommendations. [2] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2016). Committee Opinion No. 667: Suicide and depression in pregnancy and the postpartum period. [3] National Institute of Mental Health. (2018). Depression during pregnancy and postpartum. [4] World Health Organization. (2016). Depression and other common mental disorders: global health estimates.
- A licensed therapist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy can provide online therapy for pregnant women dealing with depression, anxiety, or insomnia, helping them process their emotions and build effective coping skills.
- Understanding the risks associated with suicidal thoughts during pregnancy is crucial, as depression is a strong predictor of suicidal ideation and women with depressive symptoms are 13 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts.
- Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, can be exacerbated by social stressors like intimate partner violence, low income, and being part of marginalized groups, increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts during pregnancy.
- Research suggests that hormonal changes during pregnancy can trigger emotional and psychological symptoms like mood swings, increased anxiety, and depression, which may contribute to the risk of suicidal thoughts.
- Psychiatry, seamlessly integrated with healthcare-and-wellness and mental-health services, plays a significant role in diagnosing and treating mental health issues during pregnancy, including suicidal thoughts.
- Women's health centers can address both physical and mental health concerns during pregnancy, offering resources like support groups, counseling, and safe psychotropic medications that can help manage suicidal thoughts and improve overall well-being.
