Maternal Mental
Health Awareness – What are Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders?
May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month and the first
Wednesday of May has been designated as “World
Maternal Mental Health Day”. This is noteworthy as in several countries, 1
in 5 new mothers experience a form of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
(“PMADs”). As with mental illness in general (where no one is immune, despite
their circumstances), PMADs can affect women of all ages, income levels,
cultures etc. Maternal Mental Health Day is important because it is meant to
reduce the stigma of maternal mental illness.
What are perinatal mood and anxiety disorders?
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders refer to mood and
anxiety symptoms that occur during pregnancy or up to one-year post-partum
(after pregnancy). According to UNC School of Medicine’s Center for Women’s
Mood Disorders, there are many different
types of PMADs including:
Depression
During Pregnancy/Perinatal Depression: This refers to depression that
occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery of the baby.
- It is thought that while “mild mood changes”
during pregnancy are common, mood symptoms can sometimes become severe enough
to require treatment and depression and anxiety during pregnancy can worsen and
continue into the postpartum period.
- Factors that increase the probability of
perinatal depression include if a woman has a previous history of depression or
history of substance abuse, family history of mental illness, lack of support,
marital or financial problems, anxiety, previous pregnancy issues.
- Symptoms include feeling sad, depressed, crying,
diminished interest in becoming a mother, feelings of worthlessness or guilt,
feeling restless or irritable, strong anxiety or tension concerning the baby, difficulties
sleeping, suicidal ideation, low energy, weight changes.
Pregnancy
Loss: This refers to miscarriage, which can occur at any point in pregnancy
and cause physical and emotional pain and grief. Loss of pregnancy can lead to
sadness, anger, guilt and depression
Postpartum
Depression: A variety of mood symptoms can occur after the delivery takes
place.
- Postpartum depression is more severe than what
is commonly termed, “Baby Blues” which lasts for a short period of time (i.e.
1-3 weeks post-delivery).
- Postpartum depression has a longer duration of
symptoms and can occur at any point after delivery.
- Symptoms include increased crying, feelings of
sadness, depression, intense anxiety, obsessions, loss of interest, feelings of
guilt, worthlessness, fatigue, irritability, disturbed sleep, appetite changes,
poor concentration, excessive worry, suicidal thoughts.
Postpartum
Anxiety Disorders: These can include generalized anxiety disorder, panic
disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.
- Postpartum anxiety disorders might be as common
as postpartum depression and can overlap with depression.
- Anxiety symptoms can include panic attacks, excessive
worry, restless sleep, hyperventilation, and repeated thoughts or images of
frightening things happening to the baby.
Postpartum
Psychosis: This is seen most often in women with mood disorders such as
bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder.
- Symptoms of psychosis include delusions,
hallucinations and disorganized thinking.
- Symptoms of depression and mania might also be
experienced.
- This is seen most often in mothers who are
having a severe episode of a mood disorder, for example a severe manic episode.
Can someone with a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder apply for
Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Employees make applications for long-term disability
benefits for a variety of reasons. When applying for any type of disability
claim, it is always important to provide supportive medical evidence.
In terms of maternal health issues, one example would be if
a woman who has experienced a miscarriage was unable to return to work due to
the severity of her symptoms and how they affect her daily functioning, she
might decide to apply for long-term disability benefits.
In terms of long-term disability benefits and parental
leaves, a long-term disability insurer will only cover the health-related
portion of a maternity or parental leave. The insurance company determines
which part of the leave is voluntary and which part is health-related.
What does an insurance company mean by the term,
“health-related”? For a maternity leave,
this refers to the period in which a woman is unable to work for health reasons
specifically related to childbirth or recovery from childbirth. For example,
due to post-partum depression or another type of perinatal mood and anxiety
disorder. This must be substantiated with appropriate medical evidence.
What would appropriate medical evidence consist of? With any
claim for a mental illness, aside from listing your symptoms, it is important
to show evidence that you are seeking treatment, be it from a social worker,
psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, hospital day program etc. If you
are prescribed medication, the insurance company would be interested in knowing
how your medication dosages have changed over time.
What if my claim is denied?
Many claims are denied because the insurance company feels
that a person is not seeking appropriate treatment or medical care and a denial
letter may say that your claim is denied due to “lack of objective medical
evidence” and that there is no medical evidence to support your reported
limitations and/or restrictions. A denial letter may also say that you are past
the typical “recovery period” for your illness.
With any type of claim it is important to have your illness
properly documented and to show you are attending regular doctor’s appointments
and seeking reasonable and appropriate treatment. The insurance company is
looking to see that you are making an effort to recover from your illness. When
you seek regular medical attention, you can report your symptoms regularly and
your treating physicians can document all new or worsening symptoms, how
treatments are working or aren’t working and side effects of treatments. This
information can be used to support your claim.
If your claim is denied, you can fight the insurance
company’s decision. You should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible so that
you understand what limitation period applies (so you know how long you have to
start a lawsuit) and to know what your rights and obligations are as an insured
person.
The lawyers at Aaron Waxman
and Associates can help you fight your insurance company’s decision to deny
your claim. If your long-term disability claim has been denied for any reason, contact our office for a free
initial consultation with a licensed lawyer. A consultation can be arranged at
a date and time that is convenient for you.
Sources:
Disclaimer:
Please note, this blog is for informational purposes only
and does not represent legal advice or create a lawyer-client relationship.
Information from sources listed does not reflect the opinions of Aaron Waxman
and Associates.
