Greater recognition needed for Neurodivergent mothers during perinatal care
Research from the Edith Cowan University (ECU) has called for a greater recognition of the needs of neurodivergent mothers during perinatal care. A study from a PhD student, Jata Elliot, shows that there is a need for more empathetic, relational and tailored approaches in perinatal care. Research has found that neurodivergent mothers are more susceptible to perinatal depression and anxiety.
On The Record’s Jeff Bullen, speaks with Jata Elliot, a PhD student from Edith Cowan University (ECU).
“It seems like neurodivergent women, girls and people assigned female at birth are more sensitive to hormonal changes. So we see a lot more issues in that community, during menopause, perinatal and even, more susceptible to PMDD, which is a more extreme version of PMS.”
PMDD, also known as Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a severed form of PMS that includes both physical and behavioural symptoms that resolve around the onset of menstruation. Physical symptoms of PMDD can be bloating, lack of energy and change in appetite, whilst behavioural symptoms range from decreased interest/will to complete tasks to developing sleep issues, such as insomnia.
“We’re very sensitive to estrogen changes, estrogen is like the train that carries the dopamine around the body. When estrogen drops, right before your period or just after having a baby, that dopamine can’t travel to the parts of the brain where we need it. That’s one potential reason why this occurs.”
To read the research around neurodivergent mothers, click the link here to view the research article from Edith Cowan University’s website.
If you’re looking to access support for perinatal depression and anxiety, you’re not alone. Call ForWhen on 1300 24 23 22 to discuss mental health and wellbeing support services.
If any topics or issues in this interview were triggering for you, please know that there is always support available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 to chat with a support specialist.
