When we think of postpartum mental health, postpartum depression is often what comes to mind. But there’s another equally important, and often overlapping, condition that new mothers can face: postpartum anxiety.

Just like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety can be triggered by the challenges of becoming a new mother. The demands of caring for a newborn, hormonal changes, and adjusting to a new role can feel overwhelming. Many women experience both postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety at the same time, with the symptoms often feeding off of one another.

It’s important to recognize that postpartum anxiety is more than just the typical worries that come with caring for a baby. While it’s natural to be concerned about your baby’s health and well-being, postpartum anxiety can feel like a constant state of fear, dread, or unease that doesn’t go away, even when everything seems to be going well.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety?

Postpartum anxiety can manifest in different ways, but here are some common signs to look out for:

  • Constant Worry: Feeling anxious or fearful about your baby’s health, your own abilities as a mother, or everyday tasks. These worries may seem excessive and difficult to control.
  • Physical Symptoms: Feeling tense, restless, or having a racing heart. You may also experience headaches, dizziness, or muscle tension.
  • Irritability or Anger: Feeling on edge or easily frustrated, often over small things.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Even when your baby is sleeping, you may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep due to racing thoughts or anxiety.
  • Difficulty Concentrating: Feeling scattered or unable to focus on tasks because your mind is constantly preoccupied with anxious thoughts.
  • Panic Attacks: Sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, or a feeling of losing control.
  • Avoidance: You might find yourself avoiding certain activities or situations out of fear that something bad will happen.

The Connection Between Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum Depression

It’s not uncommon for postpartum anxiety to coexist with postpartum depression. In fact, the two conditions often fuel each other. The intense worry and fear associated with postpartum anxiety can lead to feelings of hopelessness or despair, which are key symptoms of depression. Similarly, the fatigue and low mood that come with postpartum depression can exacerbate symptom of postpartum anxiety such as difficulty concentrating and avoidant behaviour.

The combination of these two conditions can feel like an emotional rollercoaster—one moment feeling overwhelmed with worry, and the next feeling completely drained and detached.

What Causes Postpartum Anxiety?

Postpartum anxiety doesn’t have a single cause, but several factors may contribute:

  • Hormonal Changes: The sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone levels after childbirth can affect your mood and trigger anxiety.
  • Sleep Deprivation: New mothers often experience sleep deprivation, which can heighten feelings of anxiety and make it harder to cope with stress.
  • Personal History: If you have a history of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, you may be at a higher risk of developing postpartum anxiety.
  • Stressful Life Events: Adjusting to motherhood, especially if you’re dealing with a difficult birth, lack of support, or other major life changes, can increase the likelihood of anxiety.

Effective Treatments for Postpartum Anxiety

The good news is that postpartum anxiety is treatable. Here are some effective ways to manage it:

  1. Therapy: Helps you identify and challenge anxious thoughts, and develop healthier ways to cope. Many women find virtual therapy especially convenient during this time.
  2. Medication: In some cases, your doctor may recommend medication to help manage anxiety symptoms. Antidepressants, including SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), can be used to treat both anxiety and depression. It’s important to discuss options with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
  3. Support Groups: Joining a group where you can share your experiences with other new mothers can provide emotional support and reassurance. Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone can ease some of the anxiety.
  4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices like deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety and bring you back into the present moment.
  5. Self-Care: While it can be hard to prioritize yourself when caring for a newborn, taking small moments for self-care can help reduce anxiety. This might include short walks, a warm bath, or simply asking for help from a partner or loved one when you need it.

Good Advice for Mothers Experiencing Postpartum Anxiety

  1. Recognize That Your Feelings Are Valid: It’s easy to feel guilty or ashamed about experiencing anxiety, especially when you’re expected to be enjoying motherhood. But your feelings are real and valid. Acknowledging them is the first step to getting help.
  2. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help: If you’re struggling with postpartum anxiety, reach out to a mental health professional. Therapy can offer a compassionate space to work through your emotions and develop coping strategies.With the right support, you will feel better. You don’t have to go through this alone.
  3. Focus on What You Can Control: Postpartum anxiety often revolves around fears of things that might happen. Try to focus on what you can control in the moment, such as taking care of yourself, your baby, and seeking support when needed.
  4. Know That It’s Temporary: Postpartum anxiety, like postpartum depression, is treatable. While the feelings of fear, worry, and overwhelment may seem all-consuming at the moment, they do not last forever. With the right support and treatment, most women begin to see improvements over time. It is important to remember, postpartum anxiety doesn’t define you, nor does it reflect your abilities as a mother.

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing postpartum anxiety, know that you’re not alone, and help is available. Therapy can be a lifeline during this challenging time, offering tools to manage anxiety and regain your sense of well-being. At Support Me Psychotherapy, we offer virtual therapy sessions tailored to women’s mental health needs. Whether you’re dealing with postpartum anxiety, depression, or simply need support adjusting to motherhood, we are here to help.

Take that first step toward feeling better—schedule your free consultation today.

Book a free consultation

Contact us