Over 90 percent of moms admit to having thoughts that scare them. These can include thoughts about dropping or hurting your child or thoughts about not wanting to mother anymore. There is a point, though, that some women cross from having normal, worried thoughts to experiencing postpartum anxiety. It is estimated that about 10 percent of postpartum women develop postpartum anxiety. Women can experience postpartum anxiety alone or with postpartum depression.
In this guide you’ll learn:
Risk Factors of Postpartum Anxiety
Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
Treatments for Postpartum Anxiety
Risk Factors for Postpartum Anxiety
Any postpartum woman can experience symptoms of postpartum anxiety. There are some difficulties that can raise your risk of developing postpartum anxiety. These include:
Personal history of anxiety
Family history of anxiety
Previous experience with postpartum anxiety or depression
Thyroid or hormonal imbalance
Cause of Postpartum Anxiety
There is not a single cause of postpartum anxiety but multiple factors that can contribute to a women experiencing PPA. These contributing factors include:
Hormonal changes from pregnancy
Nutrient stores depleted from pregnancy
Sleep deprived
Social Supports
Thoughts and mindset
Behaviors and actions
Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
Symptoms can begin anytime within the first year after having a child. Women can experience a combination of the following symptoms.
Constant worry
Feeling that something bad is going to happen
Racing or intrusive thoughts
Disturbances of sleep and appetite
Inability to sit still
Difficulty making big or small decisions
Physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes and nausea
Treatment for Postpartum Anxiety
Treatment for postpartum anxiety can include both medication and talk therapy. Studies have found that the most effective treatment is a combination of both. Your OBGYN or primary care physician can provide you with medication. I encourage women to also see a therapist in order to talk about the difficulties she is having. Becoming a mother is the biggest change you will experience in your life. This change does not just occur emotionally but there is also significant physical changes that occur within your brain. You actually have a different perspective on the world. Many women do not realize such a big change occurs and it can be incredibly helpful for a women to discuss these changes with a mental health therapist.
After reading this, if you think you may be experiencing postpartum anxiety, I encourage you to seek help as soon as possible. The earlier you get help, the quicker and fast treatment can take place.
See Also:
What is Postpartum Depression (PPD)?
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