Postpartum Anxiety: What Is It?
In the months after giving birth, women may develop postpartum anxiety.
Even though it may not often come up in casual conversation, many individuals who give birth still struggle with this worry.
Several changes mark the postpartum period. Your relationships change overnight, your body changes, and your mood is affected by hormonal changes. In addition to these adjustments, difficulties with mental health might occur.
Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms
The prevalence of postpartum anxiety is substantially higher than is typically thought. Awareness of the signs enables you or a loved one to seek assistance when necessary.
Postpartum anxiety is not an accepted diagnosis in the field of mental health. Instead, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, which do not occur during the postpartum period, are more frequently used to describe it. After giving delivery, symptoms may appear as soon as a few weeks later and may last for up to a year or more.
Postpartum symptoms include:
- Uncontrollable concern or worry.
- Intrusive thoughts.
- Obsessive impulses or behavior.
- Struggles with bonding to your new baby, presenting as excessive detachment or withdrawing from caregiving duties.
- Shakiness.
- Feelings of panic.
Postpartum Anxiety Causes
Low spouse or social support and high-stress levels during pregnancy are two major risk factors for postpartum anxiety. Another established risk factor for postpartum anxiety has premature delivery. Additionally, smoking during pregnancy might cause postpartum anxiety and contribute to newborn health issues.
Other factors that can lead to a diagnosis of postpartum anxiety include having a baby who needs to stay in the hospital for at least two weeks after birth, having diabetes already, consuming more than seven drinks per week before getting pregnant, and going through at least six stressors while pregnant. A shorter nursing period may also contribute to the emergence of postpartum anxiety.
Many factors contributing to postpartum anxiety are beyond the birthing person’s control. However, high-stress levels, a lengthy hospital stay, or nursing choices are occasionally unavoidable for those giving birth.
Sharing the causes with your immediate community is a way to put your understanding of the causes of postpartum anxiety to use without feeling powerless. To guarantee that you are supported regardless of the results of your pregnancy, let your friends, family, and partner know what may result in this diagnosis. Additionally, if you’re concerned about the possibility of experiencing postpartum anxiety, let your doctor know. You do not need to struggle alone.
Postpartum Anxiety Diagnosis
Due to the lack of a DSM-5 diagnosis for postpartum anxiety, clinicians frequently do risk factor screenings during perinatal visits. It is crucial to demand that your doctor perform a screening for postpartum anxiety because the body of knowledge on this condition is still developing.
In postpartum checkups, your healthcare practitioner may check for GAD or OCD symptoms. It is crucial to stand up for yourself if you may have postpartum anxiety and do not believe your doctor has adequately assessed the disorder. Alternatively, you can be referred to a psychiatrist for more assistance.
A co-occurring diagnosis of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression is not unusual.
Taking Care of Postpartum Anxiety
Pharmacological options, psychotherapy, and holistic forms of support are indicated treatments for postpartum anxiety.
Regular psychotherapy can help by examining the underlying reasons for the condition and reducing postpartum anxiety symptoms. Dietary changes, supplement use, exercise, and parenting classes provide excellent extra assistance for treating postpartum anxiety.
Coping With Postpartum Anxiety
Significant signs of postpartum anxiety might include high-stress levels and unexpected delivery outcomes. As a result, coping with postpartum anxiety requires having social support:
- Support networks. An excellent method to interact with other mothers and remember that you’re not alone is to join a support group.
- Couples therapy. If you and your spouse are having problems, couples counseling can help you build better communication skills.
- Mommy & Me classes. Sometimes childcare can be a massive barrier to connecting with others — explore local offerings for Mommy & Me classes. Remember that some courses are offered on a sliding scale or donation-only basis if finances are an issue.
- Healthcare provider support. Finally, staying in close touch with your doctor is incredibly important in healing from postpartum anxiety.
