Juniper Publishers : Stigma in A Name: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
JUNIPER PUBLISHERS- JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY AND WOMEN’S HEALTH Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Health-Juniper Publishers Authored by Nelson Duane1* Abstract Maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum is especially critical, as the health of both mother and child are dynamically interconnected. Stigma can hinder mental health service utilization. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) refers to mental illness that occurs during pregnancy or postpartum. This acronym’s pronunciation, “P-MAD,” reinforces societal stigma. As pregnant and postpartum women may avoid revealing mental illness to appease cultural expectations, stigmatizing terms may exacerbate this issue. We, therefore, discourage the use of the term, “P-MAD.” Keywords: Anxiety; Mental...