Postpartum Anxiety: PPD’s Invisible Cousin by Christie Luibrand, MSW, LISW

Jan 9

Over the years I have heard many mothers tell me that after they gave birth, their “mama bear” instincts kicked in. They felt concern and worry about their new baby, which led to them being protective and hyper-aware. What if the baby isn’t getting enough to eat? What if the water of the bath is too warm? Oh no! I almost dropped them. Usually as the new mom adapts to having a child and learns to meet their needs, they can silence those thoughts or dismiss them when they come up. However, there are some mothers that continue to have those fears and hyper-vigilance. Some mothers even have panic attacks over concerns that are not based in reality at all.

Chances are you’ve heard of postpartum depression, but there is also postpartum anxiety, and according to the American Pediatric Association it affects 10 percent of new mothers. While postpartum depression causes women to feel down or apathetic toward their newborn (therefore not meeting its needs), postpartum anxiety is when a mother is constantly worried or on edge. Some professionals believe that it is more common than postpartum depression, but has not been studied or diagnosed as often due to women not even recognizing they have it. How could that be, you may wonder. Well, I’ll tell you. Because I was one of them.

A Look Into Postpartum Anxiety

I worked as a mental health therapist for about two years before giving birth to my daughter. I had treated mood disorders and met with women specifically for postpartum depression. I felt confident that after giving birth if I felt I was showing signs of PPD, I could recognize it and reach out to a professional. I hadn’t met with any women or seen any screens for PPA. After giving birth I found myself panicking daily.

At the same time every evening I would begin to cry, feeling overwhelmed and scared for my newborn. Some of those fears were based in reality – making sure she could breathe, making sure her needs were taken care of. Yet some were not. I remember that I would wake up in the middle of the night and wake my husband as I patted our bed asking if she was in bed with us, heart racing. Sometimes I would even rush to her crib to make sure she was okay. It was difficult for me to eat, because I felt like I needed to hold her at all times. I felt like I wasn’t allowed to do anything enjoyable because I would regret not spending the time with her, since “babies don’t keep”. I would guilt myself constantly. When people would offer to give me a break or a nap, I would have panic attacks about leaving her with anyone.

I need to give my body time to settle, I have a lot of hormones right now I told myself. Except a few weeks passed, and things stayed the same. I passed my postpartum depression questionnaires at the OBGYN and our pediatrician, yet I still felt something was wrong. After all, this was supposed to be the happiest time of my life. I remember trying to rationalize it and telling myself all other moms must be feeling the same way, and this was something I would have to accept as my new normal.

Until I heard a woman talking about postpartum anxiety. I flipped open my DSM and read through it. I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t recognized that was happening to me, and wondered how many other women suffered in silence.

Symptoms to look for

Common symptoms of postpartum anxiety are:

Excessive worry
Feelings of dread (like something bad is going to happen)
Racing thoughts
Inability to focus
Difficulty eating or sleeping
Rapid heartbeat
Physiological signs such as hot flashes, nausea, and fatigue

If women are experiencing any of those symptoms after giving birth and they affect their daily life, then it is a good idea to discuss those symptoms with a doctor or another mental health professional.

Postpartum Anxiety Treatment

Most cases of postpartum anxiety can be treated with therapy and building community support. Having someone to talk to about concerns can provide comfort and relief. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be especially effective, as it focuses on the importance of thoughts. When one meets with a therapist who specializes in CBT, they can learn to recognize when they are having thoughts or fears that are irrational or excessive. A more realistic outlook can lead to confidence and the ability to dismiss unhelpful thoughts when they arise. It can also help a woman recognize when a concern does need to be addressed.

Mindfulness, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and other relaxation techniques are also helpful in treating postpartum anxiety. An excellent Catholic resource is Hallow, an app that specializes in relaxation techniques with a Christian focus. For some, a doctor may recommend therapy in conjunction with medication.

Motherhood is self-sacrificial. Many women, especially in the early weeks put their health and needs last. However, it is important to treat postpartum anxiety. Mental health is health and when a mother is suffering, she is not truly able to meet the needs of those around her. When a mother makes time to address her mental health, she is taking care of her child. After seeking treatment, I was able to enjoy life with my newborn. I worried less, I let myself take breaks, and I become more confident in myself as a mother. With my other two pregnancies, I never experienced postpartum anxiety again! Talking with a counselor and finding support in my community was paramount.

For a referral to a therapist near you, please visit Psychology Today or CatholicTherapists.com.