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If you’ve recently had a baby and are feeling overwhelmed, on edge, or persistently worried, you may be wondering, "Do I have postpartum anxiety?" It’s common for new parents to experience a range of emotions after bringing home a newborn, but when worry and stress start to feel all-consuming, it may be a sign of postpartum anxiety. Unlike the "baby blues," which typically resolve within a few weeks after delivery, postpartum anxiety can linger and may require professional support.
What is Postpartum Anxiety?
Postpartum anxiety is a mental health condition that affects new parents, causing excessive worry, fear, and sometimes physical symptoms that interfere with daily life. While anxiety can be a natural response to new responsibilities and the significant changes of parenting, postpartum anxiety goes beyond typical levels, often making it difficult to sleep, eat, or relax.
If you’re finding it hard to control anxious thoughts or constantly feel on edge, you may be experiencing postpartum anxiety. This condition is different from postpartum depression, though the two sometimes overlap.
Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety can manifest in various ways, and symptoms often differ from person to person. Some of the most common signs of postpartum anxiety include:
1. Constant Worry
Feeling unable to stop or control your worry, especially about your baby’s safety, your ability to be a good parent, or fears that something bad will happen.
2. Physical Symptoms
Anxiety can lead to physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, stomachaches, muscle tension, headaches, dizziness, or even shortness of breath.
3. Insomnia
Difficulty sleeping even when your baby is asleep, or waking up in the middle of the night due to racing thoughts or fears.
4. Intrusive Thoughts
Experiencing disturbing or unwanted thoughts related to harm coming to your baby or a fear that something terrible could happen. These thoughts can feel alarming and may lead to guilt or self-doubt.
5. Restlessness and Irritability
Feeling “on edge” much of the time, or experiencing frequent irritability. This can make it challenging to relax or enjoy activities you used to find comforting.
6. Hypervigilance
Constantly checking on your baby, feeling the need to be excessively cautious, or feeling hyper-aware of everything that could go wrong.
7. Avoidance
Avoiding certain activities, people, or places out of fear of something bad happening. For example, some mothers may avoid driving or leaving the house due to anxious thoughts.
Why Postpartum Anxiety Happens
Postpartum anxiety is influenced by a combination of physical, emotional, and environmental factors. Hormonal changes after childbirth, lack of sleep, past experiences with anxiety, or personal or family history of anxiety can all increase the risk.
New parenthood brings significant life changes, and feelings of responsibility can be overwhelming. While it’s natural to want the best for your child, if your anxiety feels out of proportion or starts to interfere with daily life, it may be time to reach out for support.
When to Seek Help for Postpartum Anxiety
If your anxiety is interfering with your ability to enjoy time with your baby, affecting your sleep, or making it hard to manage daily tasks, it’s important to seek support. Postpartum anxiety is highly treatable with the help of a mental health professional who specializes in perinatal mental health. Counseling can help you develop effective coping strategies, challenge intrusive thoughts, and manage your symptoms.
How Postpartum Therapy Can Help
Working with a perinatal therapist can provide you with tools to better understand your thoughts, manage anxious feelings, and reconnect with the joy of parenting. Therapy offers a safe, compassionate space to explore your experience, reduce self-blame, and learn ways to handle anxiety more effectively.
At Bloom Psychotherapy, we specialize in supporting parents on their postpartum journeys, helping them address feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and self-doubt. You don’t have to face postpartum anxiety alone—therapy can help you build resilience and find peace in this transformative time.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re experiencing signs of postpartum anxiety, reaching out can make all the difference. Click here to book a session with one of our specialized perinatal therapists, or explore our free masterclass on postpartum mental health to gain insights into managing anxiety and finding balance in parenthood. You don’t have to feel this way.
