The Hidden Mental Health Story We Must Acknowledge- This Mother’s Day

Motherhood is beautiful across all its stages but, it also comes with certain limitations for some mothers (if not all). There are unique emotional challenges across multiple stages of motherhood and the challenge in the rural settings, is even tougher. In each of these distinct phases, advances in neuroscience and technology have slowly and gradually been revealing the hidden anguish, which when detected early or on time can provide mothers with the necessary emotional and medical care too.

Beyond the “Blissful” Myth of new mothers

After childbirth, the usual image of a mother is joy and bonding. But in reality, postpartum depression affects roughly 19-22% of mothers in India, with some hospital‑based surveys reporting as high as 54%. Young mothers, especially those under 25 face higher risk due to socioeconomic stress, lack of partner support, and stigma around unplanned pregnancy. Many feel guilty for not “Enjoying” motherhood, so they suffer in silence.

The key signs that suggest that this situation include prolonged feelings of depression, irritation, or indifference lasting for more than two weeks, feeling emotionally disconnected from one’s child or severe self-deprecating thoughts related to the idea of being “An unfit mother.” Having panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, or ruminations on harming oneself or one’s child without attempting to do so.

From neuroscience research, there are significant brain remodelling processes occurring during this period. There is evidence showing that grey matter volume reduction occurs in brain areas responsible for self-referential thinking, while connectivity between empathy and reward networks increases. These changes allow a woman to be better able to interact with her child; however, they also render her more susceptible to mental conditions like anxiety and depression being under substantial psychological stress.

The “Academic‑Stress–Overload” Crisis of teenage mothers

The emotional environment around mothers changes again when their kids are in their teens. In India, teen mothers face the challenge of invisible exhaustion by meeting school deadlines, board examinations, college admissions, and social pressure. They often carry the burden of responsibility for their child’s academic outcomes, facing blames if performance falls short. At the same time, they navigate anxiety around the emotional and behavioural challenges of adolescence, creating a sustained sense of pressure and worry.

The indicators may be subtle, such as persistent fears about school and future, withdrawal from hobbies or networking, or compulsive “Checking behavior” of the kid. Migraines, gastrointestinal discomfort, anxiety or insomnia, emotional fatigue (added with their own ageing) can happen to mothers.

In this situation, neuro cognitive and mood monitoring technologies allow researchers to detect whether a mother experiences ongoing or episodic stress. Converting brain activity to measurable information can aid in early intervention, either counselling, family-based treatment, or work adjustments without compromising the interpersonal connection within families.

The “Invisible Grief” of Older Mothers

Motherhood in the later years, often show a lack of purpose and loneliness when their children have matured, left home, gotten married, or migrated in search of employment. After years of caregiving, the sudden shift in daily routine can lead to emotional voids, feelings of being unneeded, and identity challenges. There can be anxiety about children’s well-being from distance; social isolation especially if the mother had limited social networks earlier. Their constant companion, someone who has grown up in their care and nuture moves out, leaving them with a huge void within.

Some common triggers of stress among older adults include loneliness, age-related diseases, and cultural beliefs that “The elderly should be resilient.” Early symptoms of depression may disguise themselves as “Ageing,” including inexplicable physical ailments like back pain and exhaustion. Many women also undergo menopause during this phase of life, which makes things even more difficult for them. Such feelings of sudden loneliness can lead to low mood, sleep disturbances, no aim for future, often going unrecognised.

In such cases, longitudinal neuromental health evaluations can aid in understanding how ageing, caregiving stress, and isolation affect the brain’s functioning. This is very significant as early diagnosis can help elderly mothers receive the necessary care and love they need. Silent depression amongst the elderly parents, specially mothers are becoming more prominent in India. Thus, the support od medical care, caregivers, travel, social networking can significantly help mother resolve their emotional void.

When society acknowledges the mental well-being struggles of mothers, as well as designs diagnosis and solutions based on the reality of India, it can acknowledge the value of mothers all year long, and even throughout their lives. When neuroscience and empathy combine, they have the ability to make women feel more connected, empowered and lead a happy motherhood.

By Chirag Yadava, Founder Ruokamill