Perinatal Mental Health Issues for the LGBTQ Community

Introduction

Regardless of sexuality or gender, becoming a parent, especially for the first time, is a significant change in one’s life. LGBTQ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning people or the community. As per statistical analysis, the LGBTQ community is more likely to be affected by mental health issues like suicidal thoughts, self-harm, depression, and substance and alcohol use. Many factors may be responsible for this, including isolation, inequalities, transphobia, homophobia, discrimination, hate crimes, and other adverse experiences.

Parenthood is more stressful for the LGBTQ community as they face more barriers and challenges while planning pregnancy, understanding legalities, accessing fertility treatment options, receiving surrogacy pathways, and getting adequate care during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.

What Are the Risk Factors That Contribute to the Mental Health Issues of LGBTQ Parents?

The LGBTQ community's parents are at greater risk of being affected by perinatal mental health issues.

The contributing risk factors are:

• Traumatic birth.

• Lack of familial support.

• Judgment issues.

• Separation from baby after birth.

• Financial struggles.

• Lack of social support.

• Inequalities in accessing social care and health care services.

• Exposure to transphobia/homophobia.

• Lack of awareness of LGBTQ health care needs among professionals.

• Bodily changes and relationship changes occur during the pregnancy period.

• The community does not see them as parents of their children.

• History of previous depression.

• The feeling of being neglected or hidden, especially in cases where one is not the biological parent.

What Are the Symptoms to Be Looked For?

The symptoms related to perinatal mental health issues in LGBTQ communities are similar to those of the general population and include:

• Mood swings.

• Anger.

• Irritability.

• Difficulty in concentrating.

• Procrastinating.

• Difficulties in decision making.

• Sleeping issues (insomnia).

• Easily distracted.

• Low energy levels.

• Aggression.

• Alcohol abuse.

• Substance abuse.

• Lack of interest in sex.

• Anxiety.

What Are Perinatal Mental Health Disorders?

Perinatal mental health is a collective term that refers to mental health during the perinatal period, from pregnancy to a year after childbirth. These include a group of conditions called Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).

These include:

1. Perinatal Depression:

Perinatal depression is depression experienced during pregnancy period or after delivery.

The symptoms of perinatal depression are

• Sleep disturbances.

• Anger.

• Withdrawn feeling

• Mood swings.

• Excessive sadness.

2. Perinatal Anxiety:

Perinatal anxiety is the anxiety that develops during the perinatal period, the symptoms of which include:

• Sleeping difficulty.

• Restlessness.

• Excessive worry.

• Racing thought.

• Agitation.

3. Postpartum OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder):

Postpartum OCD is one of the most misdiagnosed perinatal disorders.

The symptoms include:

• Obsessions (intrusive thoughts) are repetitive thoughts related to the baby.

• High anxiety.

• Compulsions mean the mother keeps doing certain things again and again.

• Hypervigilant when it comes to protecting the infant.

4. Postpartum Psychosis:

Postpartum psychosis is a disorder that requires immediate medical care. The mothers often fail to recognize that their thoughts are bizarre.

The symptoms include:

• Hallucinations.

• Paranoia.

• Delusions (strange thoughts).

• Mood swings.

• Extreme irritation.

How to Look Out for Oneself?

Most of the time, one may be unable to identify their deteriorating mental health. The symptoms are often first recognized by the partner, family, or friends.

Tips one can take to improve their mental and physical well-being as a parent are:

• Regular Exercise: Any exercise can benefit the body and mind. While exercising, the body releases some hormones that aid in managing anxiety, mood swings, and stress.

• Balanced Diet: Mental health issues can affect one's appetite and make one negligent about taking care of oneself. Eating at the right time, planning what to eat, and having a well-balanced diet plan help keep one in proper form.

• Social Relations: Getting proper emotional support from friends and family is essential for mental health. This helps reduce their feeling of isolation.

• Express Oneself: expressing one’s feelings can help cope with mental health issues.

• Proper Rest: One must plan their rest periods, which gives them time for self-care and helps their mind switch off.

• Ask for Support: Asking for help doesn't make one weaker, and as it is often said, the problem gets halved by sharing.

• Engage in things one loves doing: Find time to do things one loves to do.

What Are the Treatment Options?

• Medications- Antidepressant therapy can be considered under physicians' advice.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of talking therapy that focuses on short-term, problem-focused skill development in the following key areas:

  • Emotions.

  • Thoughts.

  • Behavior.

  • Environment.

  • Physiology.

• Combination of pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy.

• Complementary and alternative therapies like yoga, reiki, Unani, ayurveda, music therapy, meditation, etc.

• Family therapy.

What Are the Different Support Groups?

• General Practitioner:

Firstly, one should contact one’s general practitioner (GP) who will prescribe medications if needed. The GP will also have an understanding of the local peer support groups.

• Mental Health First Aider:

Mental health first aiders are trained people who promote mental health and well-being in the workplace. Speaking to them is confidential; they listen to one’s concerns and provide the right services.

• Peer Support Groups:

There are support groups run by the LGBTQ community. These people have experiences in fertility, pregnancy, delivery, and parenthood. They offer empathy and listen to one’s concerns.

• Charity Organizations:

Many charity organizations function to provide helping hands to the LGBTQ community.

• Social Prescribing:

Social prescribing is a component of universal personalized care. The local agencies refer the affected person to a social prescribing link worker. The link worker focuses on “what matters to one” and follows a holistic approach. They link one to local community groups and aid in providing emotional support.

Conclusion

Parenthood may be more stressful for the LGBTQ community, mainly due to their social barriers and challenges. The LGBTQ community is at greater risk of developing perinatal mental health issues. The symptoms shown are similar to those of the affected general population. Treatment options include medications, behavioral therapy, combination therapy, and complementary therapies. One can take many initiatives to focus on self-care and mental well-being which greatly aids in dealing with mental health issues. Many support groups and charity organizations also play an important role.