Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms and Treatment

Every mother has a different postpartum experience. Some moms seem to breeze through pregnancy, childbirth, and the healing period afterward. Others struggle with intense morning sickness during pregnancy and hormone fluctuations that affect their peace of mind after birth.

After your baby is born, it’s normal to feel concern for their well-being. You’ve entered a new phase of life where you’re sleep-deprived and feeling pressure to do everything perfectly. For many moms, this normal concern can spiral into postpartum anxiety (PPA). Thankfully, the symptoms of PPA are easy to recognize and this condition is incredibly treatable.

What Is Postpartum Anxiety?

You may have heard of postpartum depression before. Postpartum symptoms of this mood disorder include deep sadness and a disconnect from your baby. Moms with postpartum depression may have trouble physically caring for their children because they can’t make themselves get out of bed. Their motivation is sapped and they feel the world has lost its color.

Postpartum anxiety is similar but has different symptoms than postpartum depression. If you are experiencing PPA, you probably won’t feel sad. Instead, your primary emotion will be intense worry, which can quickly spiral into terror. Here are several common symptoms of postpartum anxiety:

●      Intrusive thoughts

●      Feelings of terror or dread

●      Rumination

●      Nausea or shaking

●      Edginess or irritability

●      Irrational anger

●      Trouble sleeping

Postpartum anxiety can make you feel like you’re crazy. These thoughts and feelings may convince you that you weren’t cut out to be a mom and you’re doing a terrible job. Many moms experience a deep sense of shame that they aren’t handling motherhood better. Because they’re ashamed and embarrassed, they’re afraid to tell anyone about what they’re thinking.

However, postpartum anxiety is not a moral failing. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad mother or that you don’t deserve to have a family. It’s a physical issue that unfortunately affects thousands of moms every year. Estimates suggest that PPA affects at least 1 in 10 women postpartum. However, because many moms never ask for help, the real number could be much higher.

Is Postpartum Anxiety Treatable?

Although there are several risk factors for developing PPA, doctors haven’t been able to pinpoint an exact cause. Hormonal changes, traumatic birth, and medical history can all affect one’s likelihood of experiencing PPA. Thankfully, postpartum anxiety is highly treatable. It affects moms mentally, emotionally, and physically – so, to heal, you need extra support and care in those three ways.

Some moms experience symptoms of postpartum anxiety months before their baby is born. If you’re experiencing intense anxiety before birth, don’t wait to seek help. Preventive care can help you maintain good health throughout your pregnancy and the postpartum period. Here are five types of postpartum treatment that can help you heal from PPA.

1.   Talk About It

Tell someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Although this might be scary, it will be incredibly freeing. Your loved ones can tell you that these thoughts aren’t rational and your baby is safe. They can assure you that you’re not crazy and help you take the next step toward healing. Hiding your fears and anxieties will cause them to grow.

2.   Go to Therapy

You should also consider talking to a certified therapist about your postpartum feelings. Out of all the postpartum treatments available, this is one of the most helpful. A licensed therapist is trained to help you identify unhealthy thought patterns and strengthen your ability to handle anxiety. Therapy can empower you to breathe easy again.

3.   Practice Meditation

Meditation is a tool you can use to calm your body and brain when you’re feeling intense anxiety. It feels counterintuitive because it slows you down instead of fixing what you think is wrong. However, slowing down gives you the space to find balance and think clearly. This tool has helped hundreds of women overcome PPA.

4.   Care for Your Body

Sleep deprivation makes it difficult for you to think clearly. In addition, your body has experienced intense hormonal changes throughout pregnancy. Taking care of your body with sleep, good nutrition, and light exercise will help you find balance again. Every investment you make in your health will add up to help you heal.

5.   Consider Medication

Many moms also benefit from taking anxiety medication. This can bring your thoughts and emotions under control while you work on physical healing. Taking medication does not mean you’re a weak person or less of a good mom. Being a mother is incredibly hard, and medication is a tool you can use to be present and happy for your family.

Healing From Postpartum Anxiety

Many moms struggling with postpartum anxiety describe feeling disconnected from the present. Instead of enjoying their new baby, they’re living in a state of constant fear. If you’re experiencing symptoms of PPA, you’re not alone. Asking for help is one of the bravest and best things you’ll ever do.

Start by talking about it and then seek professional help. With the right tools and some patience, you can heal and come back to the present. You can learn to sleep again, choose the thoughts you’re going to listen to, and feel like yourself again. Postpartum anxiety is treatable and you don’t have to let it control your life anymore.

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Beth, the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the mental health, nutrition and fitness spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking and going for runs with her dog.