As a hormone health practitioner and mother of two small girls (three years and 11 months old) I’ve delved within the sphere of postpartum anxiety both professionally and personally.
Truly, becoming a mother can be one of the most special, beautiful experiences, but also incredibly challenging, stressful and depleting, both physically and emotionally.
These hormonal and environmental changes (especially with the lack of quality maternal care and postpartum support) can have a huge impact on mother’s mental health, leading to postpartum mood disorders, anxiety and depression.
If you or a mother you know is struggling, I encourage you to read this post for signs and symptoms, take the free postpartum anxiety quiz, and above all seek help if needed. Suffering should NEVER be normalized, and you are worthy of support, love and healing.
POSTPARTUM ANXIETY QUIZ
Take this free postpartum anxiety quiz to help you determine whether or not you might be experiencing symptoms, and if so what to do about it!
WHAT IS POSTPARTUM ANXIETY?
Postpartum anxiety is a description of all anxiety disorders that can occur postpartum (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc.) It’s similar to regular anxiety but typically involves an irrational fear or exaggerated, near constant worry that something is wrong with the baby or your parenting.
While it’s normal to worry as a new mother, postpartum anxiety tends to be extreme and persistent, often involving concerns that aren’t typically based on any real problem or threat.
About 10 to 15% of new moms suffer from postpartum anxiety, and about half of new mothers who have postpartum depression will also experience postpartum anxiety.
+ Near Constant Worry About Baby’s Health, Development Or Safety
+ Feelings of Dread or Danger
+ Sleep Disruption/Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep
+ Inability to Rest/Relax
+ Feeling Agitated/On Edge
+ Feeling Overwhelmed About the Ability to “Be A Good Mother”
+ Near Constant State of Stress, Overwhelm or Guilt
Physical Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms Include:
+ Fatigue
+ Hyperventilation
+ Sweating
+ Chills
+ Heart Palpitations/Increased Heart Rate
+ Tightness in Chest
+ Shakiness or Trembling
+ Panic Attacks
+ Nausea or Vomiting
+ Loss of Appetite
POSTPARTUM ANXIETY VS. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Postpartum depression is described as experiencing an ongoing case of the blues, sadness or depression in the postpartum period, while postpartum anxiety is a general description of all of the anxiety/mood disorders that can occur postpartum (anxiety, panic attacks or disorders, intrusive thoughts, OCD, etc.). The two conditions often overlap by 50%.
POSTPARTUM ANXIETY VS. POSTPARTUM OCD
Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder that affects new moms and involves repeated unwanted, illogical and intrusive thoughts about their babies. These thoughts often involve accidentally or unintentionally hurting their babies (i.e. what if I fall down the stairs and drop my baby? What if my baby chokes on some water when I’m bathing it and drowns, etc.) and can cause excessive worry or tremendous distress. They can also lead to compulsive rituals, such as repeatedly checking on the baby to make sure it’s still breathing at night, and can therefore interfere with the mother’s wellbeing and rest.
In order to remove some of the shame and stigma surrounding postpartum OCD I want to be honest that I’ve experienced intrusive thoughts and postpartum OCD with both of my girls (3-5% of women do, and most likely more as many don’t report it due to shame, guilt, etc.) If you are experiencing postpartum anxiety or OCD symptoms please know you are not alone, and there is no shame in seeking support either through medication, therapy or other treatment and coping options.
RISK FACTORS FOR POSTPARTUM ANXIETY
The most common risk factor regarding postpartum anxiety is a history of anxiety or mood disorders before or during your pregnancy. Also the overlap between anxiety and depression is over 50%, so it’s more likely if you’re experiencing postpartum depression you may also be dealing with some anxiety, and vice versa.
COMMON CAUSES OF POSTPARTUM ANXIETY
While there isn’t just “one thing” that causes a mother to develop postpartum anxiety, there are several factors that can increase the likelihood of of experiencing it, including:
+ The cultural and societal pressures placed upon new moms
+ A previous history of anxiety, depression or other mood disorders
+ Sleep deprivation
+ Stress around nursing or feeding the baby
+ The overwhelm that comes with caring for a new baby
+ A shift in relationship dynamics with your partner or spouse
+ Pregnancy or birth complications
+ Baby health issues
+ Prior miscarriage or stillbirth
+ Lacking access to help, maternal care or postpartum resources
+ An additional financial strain/burden
POSTPARTUM ANXIETY TREATMENT + COPING OPTIONS
For a detailed list of postpartum anxiety treatment and coping options, check out this post.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP FOR POSTPARTUM ANXIETY
Truly, from one mother to another, there is no wrong time to seek help (it’s actually the first step to recovery and ALWAYS encouraged around here). While so many of us are lacking access to quality postpartum and maternal care, it can be incredibly empowering to develop self-awareness around your symptoms and advocate for yourself with your doctor, spouse, healthcare, friends, community, etc.
For ideas on postpartum anxiety and treatment + coping options, you can check out this post to get started. Above all, I encourage you to check in with yourself. Do you feel okay, really? Or are your symptoms interfering with your happiness and mental health? If so, there is NO shame in getting help in whatever way you need.
HOW TO SUPPORT MOTHERS DEALING WITH POSTPARTUM ANXIETY
If you have a friend who’s a new mother, it can be hard to know how they’re REALLY doing (most moms aren’t very forthcoming about symptoms due to shame and societal pressures to have it all together, not place burden on anyone else, etc.).
Thus one of the best things you can do is check in with them often and simply ask how they’re doing. They may or may not open up to you about struggles, but either way you can show them support through other simple acts like bringing them a home-cooked meal, running an errand for them, or ordering them some postpartum recovery essentials. These gestures go a long way in helping new moms feel supported and less alone during what can be a very isolating time.
