How to Support a Partner with PMADs: 5 Actionable Strategies
Bringing a baby into the world is life-changing, but it also comes with emotional challenges that many parents don’t anticipate. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) impact the mental health and well-being of up to 1 in 5 parents.
These mental health conditions include postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Importantly, they don’t just affect the birthing parent — they also place strain on relationships. If your partner is struggling with PMADs, you may feel unsure of how to help.
Support plays a crucial role in recovery, and knowing how to navigate this experience together strengthens your bond. Below, Evolve: A Behavioral Health Center reveals five actionable strategies for supporting your partner — and how to identify when to invest in couples counseling.
PMADs & Their Impact on Relationships
PMADs are more than just “baby blues.” They involve persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, or detachment, often making everyday life overwhelming.
Many parents also experience intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, or a deep sense of guilt. These emotional shifts often affect communication, intimacy, and daily responsibilities.
Recognizing the Signs
You may notice your partner withdrawing, feeling overwhelmed, or struggling to bond with the baby. Some parents experience heightened anxiety that may lead to excessive worry about their child's well-being.
Recognizing these signs allows you to provide meaningful support while encouraging healing and, if needed, couples counseling.
5 Supportive Ways to Care for Your Partner with PMADs
- Learn About PMADs Together
- Encourage Open & Judgment-Free Communication
- Offer Practical & Emotional Support
- Recognize When Professional Help is Needed
- Prioritize Your Own Well-Being
1. Learn About PMADs Together
Education is one of the most powerful tools for supporting a partner with PMADs. By understanding what they’re going through, you’ll help to reduce frustration and foster empathy.
- Read articles, books, or research on maternal mental health.
- Listen to podcasts or watch documentaries that explore postpartum depression and anxiety.
- Seek guidance from a postpartum depression therapist or perinatal therapy specialist to better understand available treatment options.
Learning about PMADs together removes stigma and reassures your partner that they’re not alone in this experience.
2. Encourage Open & Judgment-Free Communication
Many new parents hesitate to express their struggles because they fear judgment or dismissal. Create a safe space for open conversations to ensure that your partner feels supported.
- Ask how they’re feeling without pressuring them to talk.
- Listen without offering immediate solutions. Sometimes, they just need to be heard.
- Acknowledge their emotions instead of minimizing their experience. Saying, "I hear you, and I’m here for you," goes a long way.
Simple, meaningful conversations provide reassurance and help your partner feel less isolated.
3. Offer Practical & Emotional Support
Daily responsibilities feel overwhelming for those experiencing PMADs. Small gestures make a significant difference in reducing stress and allowing your partner to focus on recovery.
- Take on household tasks like cooking, cleaning, or grocery shopping.
- Offer to handle nighttime feedings or diaper changes.
- Encourage breaks by suggesting they rest while you care for the baby.
- Plan time together that isn’t baby-related, even if it’s just a short walk outside.
Showing up in small, consistent ways reinforces the idea that your partner doesn’t have to face this alone.
4. Recognize When Professional Help is Needed
PMADs are treatable, but many parents hesitate to seek help due to stigma or fear. Knowing when to encourage professional support ensures your partner gets the care they need.
Signs that professional help may be necessary include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or detachment.
- Panic attacks or overwhelming anxiety.
- Difficulty bonding with the baby.
- Thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby.
Encourage mental health counseling by discussing its benefits without pressure. Let your partner know that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Perinatal and postpartum therapy provides effective tools for managing symptoms and regaining emotional balance. Offer to join them in couples counseling if they’d feel more comfortable attending with your support.
5. Prioritize Your Own Well-Being
Supporting a partner through PMADs can be emotionally demanding. Taking care of your own mental health allows you to provide better support.
- Set aside time for self-care, even if it’s just a short break.
- Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist if needed.
- Consider couples counseling to strengthen your relationship during this challenging time.
Your well-being matters too. A strong, supported partner is better equipped to provide compassionate care.
When to Consider Couples Counseling for PMAD Support
PMADs place stress on relationships, and often lead to miscommunication or feelings of disconnection. Couples counseling services offer valuable tools for navigating these changes together.
A mental health counselor provides strategies for improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and supporting each other in meaningful ways. Therapy also helps address any underlying emotional challenges to ensure that both partners feel heard and validated.
Invest in your relationship to strengthen the foundation for a healthier future.
Find Compassionate Support with Relationship Counseling
PMADs are temporary and treatable, but no one should go through them alone. If you or your partner need additional support, Evolve: BHC offers specialized mental health counseling services to support perinatal and postpartum mental health.
To explore our therapy options and start the journey toward healing together, contact our team today.
