Signs & Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Perinatal Depression or Anxiety

One in five mothers and one in ten partners experience some form of perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety, and/or difficulty adjusting to parenting - both during pregnancy and/or following birth.

Please call us to discuss what supports are available if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Little or no interest in things that would usually bring joy
Withdrawing from friends and family
Finding it difficult to focus, concentrate, or remember
Constantly feeling sad, teary and exhausted
Problems sleeping and winding down
Not wanting to be alone with your/their baby
Experiencing panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, racing heart, tightening of the chest, quick breathing, restlessness, or feeling tense, wound-up and edgy
Feeling lonely and isolated
Experiencing frequent anger and frustration
Having excessive fear, worry, catastrophising or obsessive thinking
Feeling overwhelmed, guilty, unhappy and lacking in confidence

It's okay to not be okay.

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is here to help if you feel like you are struggling. Call 02 6288 1936 to connect with our team.

Signs of Perinatal Depression

There are many symptoms which can indicate you or a loved one may be experiencing perinatal depression. Some of these include:

Having a low mood
Feeling numb
Experiencing a loss of interest in things that would normally be enjoyable
Experiencing the following feelings during the perinatal period:
- inadequate
- like a failure
- guilty
- ashamed
- worthless
- hopeless
- helpless
- empty
- sad
Feeling unmotivated and unable to cope with the daily routine
Experiencing insomnia or excessive sleep
Feeling regularly on the verge of tears
Experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Signs of Perinatal Anxiety

Beyond perinatal depression, there are also many indicators which might alert you to perinatal anxiety in yourself or a loved one. Here are some key signs and symptoms to look for:

Anxieties or fears that (any of the below):
- interrupt thoughts and interfere with daily tasks
- keep coming into your/their mind and are difficult to stop or control
- stop you/them going out with your/their baby
- lead you/them to check on your/their baby constantly
Panic attacks — overwhelming outbursts of extreme fear and panic feel difficult to bring under control
Constantly feeling irritable, restless or “on edge”
Having tense muscles, a “tight” chest and/or heart palpitations
Finding it difficult to relax and/or taking a long time to fall asleep at night

Latest

Katie's fundraiser

I'd be very grateful if you would consider donating a small amount of money to support the vital work of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre here in Canberra. This valuable service provides mental health support to new parents.
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Last week's 2025 Perinatal Wellbeing Fest was a smash hit - take a look at what everyone got up to!

How we help you

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre programs are designed to provide the support you need at every stage.
What we do

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the Australian Capital Territory. Primarily funded by ACT Health, it is staffed by experienced perinatal mental health workers and administration staff.
Support groups

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provides support groups aimed at connecting you with others who are having similar experiences. Groups provide an opportunity to share mutual support, as well as looking at strategies to aid in recovery.
Donate today

Please show your support for parents and families experiencing perinatal mental health challenges by making a tax deductible donation to Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.
Self care strategies for parents and caregivers

Caring for a small child can be rewarding, exciting, surprising and frustrating. It can also sometimes be stressful, exhausting and worrying. Check out our list of self care ideas, and think about how these ideas might fit into your routine.
Perinatal anxiety

1 in 4 people will experience anxiety in their lifetime and for women it is more likely to occur during pregnancy or in the year following birth. As many as 1 in 5 women will experience perinatal anxiety. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal anxiety.
The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia

Perinatal depression and anxiety costs $877 million a year in Australia, and that is just the beginning. Our new report 'The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia' highlights key findings on the economic costs of PNDA.
Perinatal depression

Depression occurs in up to 1 in 10 women during pregnancy, and in up to 1 in 7 women after the birth of a baby. Men are also affected by postnatal depression. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal depression.
Board

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is governed by a volunteer Board and complies with the regulations of the ACT Associations Incorporation Act (1991). The Board is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, providing strategic direction and overseeing all operations of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.
Phone support

Clients can receive fortnightly or monthly telephone support calls with our team of perinatal mental health workers.