Maternal Mental Health Program
It’s OK to need help. You deserve care, too.
At Sharp HealthCare, we offer an intensive outpatient program that provides specialized care for people who are pregnant or recently had a baby and are experiencing moderate to severe postpartum mental health conditions affecting their daily lives.
Known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), these conditions include perinatal and postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis.
Our expert teams are here to ensure you receive personalized care in a safe and respectful environment. We offer:
Assessment by a specialized psychiatrist and nurse practitioner
Education and treatment
Individual counseling and support
Group therapy
Hybrid in-person and virtual therapy
Medication management
Understanding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
PMADs are the primary complication of pregnancy and childbirth, with up to 1 in 5 women experiencing them. PMADs can affect anyone regardless of background, age, education, income or race. There is no singular cause.
The following may be risk factors for PMADs:
Change in hormone levels
Lack of social support
Individual or family history of mental health conditions
Difficult or unexpected pregnancy, labor or birth
Lack of sleep
A baby in the NICU
A baby who cries or is fussy for long periods
Symptoms may appear during pregnancy, following birth or within the baby’s first year. PMADs should not be confused with the baby blues — crying, exhaustion, irritability, feeling overwhelmed — which typically begin a few days after birth and are common, affecting up to 80% of women. Baby blues last approximately 1 to 3 weeks and go away on their own.
PMAD symptoms may include :
Feelings of sadness
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
Excessive crying
Difficulty concentrating and coping with daily tasks
Fear of leaving the house or being alone
A sense of panic, nervousness or anxiety
Unexplained anger or irritability
Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
Fear of harming yourself or your baby
Frequently asked questions
An intensive outpatient program allows patients to receive a higher level of care while participating in their daily activities and living at home.
The Maternal Mental Health IOP is best for those who are pregnant or postpartum experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety that last beyond a 2-to-3-week period and are becoming worse or beginning to interfere with everyday living.
Our multidisciplinary treatment approach is led by psychiatrists, registered nurses, licensed therapists, registered therapist interns and supervised practicum students. We offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to educate patients on symptom management, health education, medication management and developing coping skills.
We encourage including your baby in both virtual and in-person sessions whenever needed. Please note that this may change depending on your individual treatment needs.
Currently, this program has been customized for the birthing parent. If your partner needs mental health support, please reach out for available community resources.
Medication can be prescribed depending on the treatment plan created with your team. Not every patient will need medication. Medication management will be arranged with consideration of many factors, including breastfeeding.
Yes. This program is available for pregnant people experiencing moderate to severe perinatal symptoms.
Sharp accepts almost all major health insurance plans. Most of our services are covered in full or in part by insurance. Our intake professionals at our behavioral health hospitals will work with your insurance company to ensure you receive the maximum coverage allowed by your plan.
Maternal Mental Health Program video
For first-time mom, Kelly Barrios, the postpartum journey wasn’t what she anticipated. After delivering her daughter, Kelly experienced severe postpartum anxiety and depression. Learn how she found support in the Maternal Mental Health Program at Sharp.
How to find us
Maternal Mental Health Program
8010 Frost Street, Suite 402 San Diego, CA 92123
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