Postpartum Anxiety and Embracing Motherhood with Confidence
Postpartum anxiety is a common condition that affects some new mothers. The changes that motherhood brings can cause feelings of fear and sadness, along with wonderful emotions. It can be easy to push postpartum anxiety under the rug or ignore symptoms in the midst of all the craziness of new motherhood. Here are some common signs and symptoms of postpartum anxiety:
Excessive worry: Constant, frequent, uncontrollable worry and fear, especially related to the family health, well-being, or safety.
Restlessness: Feeling physically or mentally agitated or on edge, having difficulty relaxing.
Irritability: Being easily angered, agitated, or having a short temper, even over minor issues that sometimes don’t make sense to even you.
Racing/Intrusive thoughts: A persistent stream of anxious thoughts that can be overwhelming and make it difficult to focus, feeling lack of control of these thoughts.
Physical Symptoms: Symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, nausea, or stomachaches due to anxiety. Other symptoms can be rapid heart rate, sweating, and difficulty catching breath, especially in conjunction with anxious thoughts.
Sleep difficulties: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing disrupted sleep patterns, when given the opportunity to rest.
Avoidance behaviors: Avoiding situations, people, or places that trigger anxiety, such as avoiding leaving the house or attending social events.
Obsessive behaviors: Developing obsessive-compulsive behaviors, such as excessive cleaning, checking, or engaging in rituals to lessen anxiety.
Difficulty concentrating: Finding it hard to focus or make decisions due to racing thoughts.
Intrusive thoughts/OCD symptoms: Disturbing or unwanted thoughts about harming the baby or oneself, even if you have no intention of acting on them (this may be a sign of postpartum OCD, which is a subtype of postpartum anxiety).
Please remember that experiencing some level of worry and anxiety is normal for new parents, especially with sleep changes and hormonal fluctuations, but if these symptoms persist, become overwhelming, or significantly interfere with your daily life and ability to care for yourself and your baby, it's crucial to seek help. Postpartum anxiety, like other postpartum mood disorders, can be effectively treated with the right support and interventions. If you feel like you are experiencing any of these symptoms reach out to your current health provider and/or seek professional counseling.
