What Is Postpartum Anxiety?
Postpartum anxiety is a mood disorder that affects women after giving birth and which can affect any new parent.
The symptoms of postpartum anxiety can be scary and confusing, and include intense worries, fears, and anxiousness that severely disrupt daily life.
These symptoms are produced by the body’s natural reaction to real or perceived feelings of danger or threat.
For new mothers, anxious feelings are physiological, mental, and emotional reactions to concerns, fears, and worries about being a new mother and the responsibilities this entails.
Research shows that in up to 50 percent of cases, postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety occur together. This demonstrates just how broad the symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety are for many women after giving birth.
Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms
Not unlike anxiety faced at other points in life, postpartum anxiety creates telltale symptoms and signs in women. These symptoms manifest physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Here are the most common postpartum anxiety symptoms:
Physical Symptoms
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Inability to sleep
- Muscle tension in the back, neck, and shoulders
- Stomach ache
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Mental Symptoms
- Nervous thoughts that control your brain
- Recurring negative thoughts of worry and worst-case scenarios involving the baby’s health
- Thoughts that you aren’t a good enough mother
- Deliberately avoiding situations and interactions out of fear that something bad will happen
Emotional Symptoms
- Feeling constant “nervous energy”
- Feeling on edge
- Guilt and shame that you are not doing things right
- Irritability and frustration
- Restlessness and tension
There are other behavioral symptoms of postpartum anxiety. Some will constantly seek reassurance and approval from others. Mothers with postpartum anxiety may also constantly double-check or triple-check things out of fear of missing something.
These checking patterns stem from fears that the baby will be harmed or killed, though there is no logical reason to think this way.
Who Does Postpartum Anxiety Affect?
Postpartum anxiety affects almost exclusively new mothers. Because it is lumped into postpartum depression reports, it is difficult to determine the exact rate of postpartum anxiety.
Some medical professionals believe postpartum anxiety occurs in 10 to 20 percent of all new mothers — a similar rate in those who develop postpartum depression.
Studies have also shown that the rates of postpartum anxiety have increased over time, especially within the past decade.
Postpartum Anxiety Causes and Risk Factors
Like postpartum depression, there is no one cause of postpartum anxiety. Anxiety can stem from drastic hormonal changes to sleep deprivation to feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for a new baby.
Though it is common for women to feel postpartum baby blues, it is not as common for those feelings to become full-blown anxiety. There are several risk factors that may cause the baby blues to evolve into an anxiety disorder.
Medical and Family History Risk Factors
Factors in a woman’s personal health history, as well as the medical history of her family, may increase her chances of developing postpartum anxiety.
Here are some possible medical history risk factors:
- Past personal history of anxiety, postpartum anxiety, or postpartum depression
- Having been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in the past
- A family history of anxiety, depression, and postpartum anxiety or depression
- Other pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart conditions
Life Stressor Risk Factors
For new mothers, extra stress on top of child care can trigger postpartum anxiety.
Some life stressors that can cause women to develop postpartum anxiety:
- Not having the support of family or friends
- Divorce or marriage problems
- Financial hardship
- Painful life events that happened recently (loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a health emergency, or an accident)
- Previous pregnancy loss or complications
Other Risk Factors
In addition to medical history and stressful life events, other demographic factors can lead new mothers to develop postpartum anxiety:
- Being single or not having a partner
- Being under 20
- Being a first-time mother
- An unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
- Low socioeconomic status
Postpartum Depression vs. Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum or postnatal depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety share specific characteristics. These conditions are often mistaken for one another, but they also have some very important differences.
Both conditions typically occur in the first year after giving birth, are caused by both hormones and stress and can impact your daily life and functioning and make it difficult to care for your baby.
Fortunately, both conditions are also highly treatable.
Key differences between PPD and postpartum anxiety include:
- Postpartum depression is primarily characterized by excessive sadness and frequent crying spells, while postpartum anxiety is characterized mainly by excessive worrying and fear.
- Postpartum depression causes a mother to have difficulties bonding with her baby or showing interest in them, while postpartum anxiety causes a mother to be overly concerned about her baby.
It is possible to experience both conditions at the same time, just as many people experience both depression and anxiety at the same time.
In these instances, one of the conditions is usually dominant. But, you can fluctuate between them and feel either more depressed or more anxious depending on the day or situation.
How Long Does Postpartum Anxiety Last?
Postpartum anxiety symptoms typically set in 2-3 weeks after giving birth. Symptoms may start slowly and then intensify over several weeks.
Without treatment, symptoms of anxiety may never go away. Instead, they can deepen or lead to other anxiety disorders and mental health conditions. These may include postpartum panic disorder, postpartum OCD, or even postpartum psychosis.
In addition, many women who develop postpartum anxiety experience intense fear or worries during pregnancy. These fears can go on for months before giving birth. However, they are often dismissed as nerves or anticipation.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, they shouldn’t be dismissed.
You aren’t simply being a “nervous mother.” Your feelings are valid. You can overcome postpartum anxiety through medication and therapy.
Diagnosing Postpartum Anxiety
To be diagnosed with postpartum anxiety, you must first be able to recognize the symptoms and signs of postpartum anxiety. Then, you can seek an evaluation with your doctor or a mental health professional.
If you have noticed symptoms, schedule an appointment to be evaluated. Be prepared to discuss your symptoms and complete screening questionnaires.
This evaluation will be comprehensive and assess your anxiety levels and symptoms to rule out other conditions and confirm postpartum anxiety.
Postpartum Anxiety Treatment
There are many different postpartum anxiety treatment options available. Treatment choice depends on how mild or severe your anxiety symptoms are.
Medications
Medications can help to manage your anxiety, especially when used alongside talk therapy and other treatments.
Medications such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines work to ease postpartum anxiety symptoms and prevent other issues down the road.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most well-researched medication for postpartum anxiety and are considered to be safe and effective.
You should never take any medications for anxiety without the direction of your physician, and this is especially true if you are breastfeeding.
Therapies
If your postpartum anxiety symptoms prevent you from doing basic tasks, you should pursue individual psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can teach you how to manage general anxiety and quell panic attacks should they arise.
You can also try more specialized forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can be very effective with anxiety symptoms.
CBT teaches you to explore the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and replace negative thoughts and behavior patterns with positive ones.
Support Groups
If your quality of life is affected by anxiety but you can still fulfill daily routines, you may benefit from group therapy or support counseling.
Support groups are a great way to connect with other new moms who are facing anxiety or depression or moms who have been through it before.
Participating in these groups can make you feel less alone and more like a part of a community. You may also find yourself learning valuable tips that can help with your anxiety or other symptoms.
Tips for Managing Postpartum Anxiety
While anxiety during the postpartum period can be challenging to live with, it is very treatable. There are techniques you can use to manage it on a day-to-day basis.
Tips for managing postpartum anxiety include:
- Establish a comfortable routine for you and your baby to take on each day.
- Set realistic expectations and goals for yourself each day.
- Break large tasks into smaller ones that seem more manageable.
- Make sure to get enough sleep and eat well.
- Use breathing exercises and mindfulness exercises.
- Try relaxation activities like yoga and meditation.
- Avoid overstimulation and reduce screen time.
- Reach out to friends and family members when you are overwhelmed.
Above all else, remember to be kind to yourself and patient. What you are going through is not easy and may take some time, but you can feel better with the right actions and treatments.
Postpartum Anxiety Outlook (Prognosis)
You can recover fully from postpartum anxiety and return to what you consider “normal”, though it can take some hard work and dedication on your part
Remember that you can relapse with postpartum anxiety and that relapsing is also considered a normal part of the recovery process.
Your best chances of recovering from postpartum anxiety come with:
- Early intervention
- A strong support system
- A healthy lifestyle
- Ongoing management and treatment
Though it will depend on the severity of your anxiety symptoms, many women start to see improvements within a few weeks to a few months. This is especially true with professional treatment.
Find Professional Support for Postpartum Anxiety
Living with postpartum maternal anxiety can be scary and debilitating, especially when coupled with welcoming a new baby.
But know that you are never alone, and thousands of women around the world experience these same feelings every year after giving birth.
You may feel better and healthier by talking to a professional who can listen and prescribe medications if necessary.
To find a therapist in your area, you can browse our comprehensive database of therapists at any time.
Postpartum Anxiety FAQs
What is postpartum anxiety like?
Postpartum anxiety is characterized by excessive worrying, fears, and anxiety that start shortly after giving birth.
Fears and worries become so strong and constant that they can interfere with and disrupt your everyday life and activities.
How can I reduce my postpartum anxiety?
You can reduce your postpartum anxiety in several ways, including:
- Getting enough sleep and eating well
- Making self-care a priority
- Spending time with other mothers who understand and relate to what you are going through
- Joining a local or online support group for new parents
- Cuddling with your baby
- Reaching out to loved ones for support
- Seeking professional mental health support and therapy
Why am I having panic attacks after having a baby?
There are several reasons you could be having panic attacks after having a baby. Giving birth and the postpartum period can be a very stressful time that brings about a lot of changes you weren’t expecting.
You may want to consider reaching out to loved ones or a medical professional who can diagnose you for postpartum anxiety and recommend treatment.
Can you take anti-anxiety medications while breastfeeding?
Taking anti-anxiety medications can present risks while breastfeeding. Yet some medications can be considered safe, and the benefits may outweigh the risks in some instances.
You should always check with your healthcare provider before taking any medications while breastfeeding.
Is postpartum anxiety the same as postpartum OCD?
Postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) are not the same disorders, as postpartum OCD is instead considered a subtype of postpartum anxiety.
With postpartum OCD, people tend to experience intrusive thoughts, obsessions, and behaviors focused primarily on the safety of their baby and any perceived threats or dangers around them.
