Women’s experience of perinatal anxiety and help-seeking in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The experience of anxiety in the perinatal period is prevalent with rates rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. While effective psychological treatments are available, help-seeking rates during the perinatal period are low. Despite the recognized importance of supporting the mental health of perinatal women, there is limited literature on the process of help-seeking for perinatal anxiety and the unique aspects of this experience influenced by the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present research was to better understand the experience of perinatal anxiety and to explore the process of psychological help-seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnant (n = 8) and postpartum (n = 9) women were recruited from a hospital-based waitlist for psychological treatment in Manitoba, Canada. Qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed according to constructivist grounded theory methodology. Participants also completed an online questionnaire, a Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), and a mental health graph that assessed perceived mental health. All participants identified having experienced either anxiety and/or depression and sought help for mental health concerns before their current experience of perinatal anxiety. The most commonly experienced anxiety disorder was Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with an average number of three comorbid anxiety and mood disorders. The main themes emergent from the grounded theory analysis included: "Liquid terror" and other experienced symptoms of anxiety; "Here we go again": Recognition and reactions to the re-emergence of anxiety in the perinatal period; Calling in the "Troops": Social support in the context of perinatal anxiety; and "I'm going down all the lists, whom can I call, whom can I get help from?": Help-seeking for perinatal anxiety. These findings suggest that the experience of perinatal anxiety can be both disruptive and disappointing, and that help-seeking can be confusing, and distressing, even when individuals have previously engaged in help-seeking for mental health concerns. Findings also demonstrated the importance of relationships and social support during the experience of perinatal anxiety and the help-seeking process. Implications for how to better support the mental health of women in the perinatal period are discussed.