Postpartum Anxiety and Depression Warning Signs
1 in 5-7 women will experience a mood or anxiety disorder either during pregnancy or after birth. You’ve likely heard of postpartum depression, but it’s not the only mental health condition that affects new moms. In the mental health field, we now refer to the range of mental and emotional symptoms experienced during pregnancy and after birth as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). These diagnoses represent patterns of behavior – not the odd symptom here or there but a persistent pattern of troublesome or debilitating symptoms. This post will help you assess your own symptoms and determine if you could benefit from treatment. If you suspect that you may have a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, know that these conditions are treatable. With help, you will recover.
Postpartum Anxiety
Some amount of stress is inherent in motherhood. It’s completely natural to worry about the wellbeing of your baby. But the worry doesn’t have to be overwhelming and debilitating. If you’ve found yourself in a place where the worry feels like a heavy weight and you’re struggling to find joy in motherhood, you may have postpartum anxiety.
How do you know if your worry is too much?
Signs of Postpartum Anxiety
Feeling worried almost constantly
Struggling to sleep even when you have the opportunity to
Changes in your appetite (loss of appetite or increased appetite)
Feeling unable to sit still
Difficulty concentrating
Racing thoughts
Experiencing a feeling of dread or fear that something awful will happen
Experiencing physical symptoms like nausea, gastrointestinal distress, headaches, or dizziness (not an exhaustive list)
Postpartum panic attacks are a form of acute and intense anxiety. The symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Racing heart
Intense fear
Dizziness
Chest pain
Claustrophobia
Risk Factors
It’s especially important to be on the lookout for these symptoms if you have a history of anxiety or depression. Those who have experienced anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or eating disorders are more likely to experience postpartum anxiety or depression. A past miscarriage or stillbirth can also stir up more symptoms of anxiety or depression during a subsequent pregnancy.
I have some of these symptoms. Does that make me a bad mom?
Okay, so you probably won’t ask your care provider this question, but you might be thinking it. I have an easy answer for you. Absolutely not. Experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness says nothing about your ability to be a great mom. In fact, moms who have been through difficult experiences tend to be really strong moms. Your doctor and your therapist know this. Please don’t avoid reaching out of help for fear that you will be judged for your symptoms.
Postpartum Depression
But isn’t it just the baby blues?
In the first two weeks after birth, you may experience the baby blues. Stress, mood swings, irritability, sadness, and bouts of crying are common during the two weeks following birth. So common in fact that 4 out of 5 women will experience these symptoms. These symptoms emerge largely due to hormonal shifts that occur shortly after birth. The onset of baby blues symptoms is typically 2-3 days after delivery and the symptoms last no more than two weeks. If your symptoms do not fade out after two weeks, you may be experiencing postpartum anxiety or depression.
Signs of Postpartum Depression
Anger or irritability
Apathy
Lack of interest in the baby
Changes in appetite or sleep
Feelings of hopelessness or shame
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby
Risk Factors
Lack of sleep
Financial strain
Relationship strain
Lack of support
Recent loss (such as a recent move or loss of a job)
Complications in pregnancy or birth
A personal of family history of anxiety or depression
Anxiety or depression during pregnancy
If you’re checking off quite a few risk factors above, you’re not alone. Having several of these risk factors is really common after you’ve welcomed a new baby. But remember that having risk factors does not guarantee postpartum depression. They are used only as a tool to help you and your providers better lookout for and identify signs of depression and to determine if you could benefit from preventative care.
Just like with postpartum anxiety, if you have struggled with your mental health in the past, be on the lookout for symptoms of depression after birth. Even if you have not experienced mental illness before, it can emerge after birth. The onset of mental illness tends to coincide with significant life changes and transitions. It’s important to recognize that though having a baby can be an incredibly joyful time, it can also be a very difficult time for you. If you notice any symptoms of anxiety or depression, reach out to a therapist trained in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders for help. If your mental health is suffering after birth, you are not alone. The stigma around mental health challenges, especially in mothers, can be heavy but don’t let that stop you from getting care. You don’t have to struggle through it alone and it’s not your fault. The sooner you ask for help, the sooner you will recover and the better off your family will be.
Note – you don’t need to be experiencing all the symptoms on the list to meet criteria for a PMAD. If any of the symptoms on the list are bothering you, make sure to mention them to your doctor or reach out to a therapist.
Other Mental Health Conditions and Preventative Care
A history of any mental illness is a risk factor for mental illness postpartum. Risk factors are not limited to a history of anxiety or depression. If you have been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or an eating disorder (just to name a few), you are at an increased risk of seeing a resurgence of your symptoms in the postpartum period or even while you’re pregnant. It’s important to engage in preventative care if you have any history of mental illness. A therapist can help you recognize and treat any symptoms as they arise - before they become overwhelming. It’s recommended that anyone who has a history of mental illness see a therapist throughout their pregnancy – whether or not it’s your first pregnancy.
Reset Brain + Body has two clinicians specially trained in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders: Kerry Biskelonis and myself, Bethany Padilla. Visit the provider page linked below to read more about Kerry and Bethany or to schedule an appointment. Not sure if we’ll be a good fit for you? Have questions about the therapeutic process? Call the office to set up a free 20-minute consult with Kerry or myself. We’d be happy to answer your questions.
Resource:
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is a great resource. It has great information about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. They also have a free “warm line” you can use if you suspect you or someone else may have symptoms. The volunteers who take your call can provide you with support, guidance, and resources. PSI also offers online support groups for women and men in the pregnancy and postpartum period.
Bethany earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience before pursuing a career as a medical provider. Through her experiences working in an acute care hospital and serving as a volunteer at a hospice organization, she came to realize that her passion for helping others heal was better aligned with guiding clients toward more holistic health and well-being through mental health care. Bethany is currently seeing individual clients at Reset Brain and Body as well as supporting new moms and new-again moms in our Postpartum Support Group which is virtual, free, and ongoing. Reset Brain and Body is an integrative mental health care practice. Our services include individual therapy, couples and family therapy, yoga therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and group programs and events. If there is anything we can support you with, please connect with us by emailing us visiting us on Facebook, or Instagram, or scheduling a session with one of our therapists.
