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Symptoms

It Is Clinical Anxiety or Just Stress?

Treatment

Coping

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Postpartum anxiety is a form of anxiety experienced in the months following giving birth. While it may not be commonly discussed in casual conversation, many birthing people still experience this type of anxiety.

Many changes accompany the postpartum era. Suddenly, your body changes, your relationships become different, andhormonal fluctuationschange how you feel. In addition to these changes,mental health challenges can arise.

A recent study estimates that 8-12% of people experience at least one anxiety disorder in the postpartum period.Unfortunately, research on postpartum anxiety disorder is somewhat limited. This is due to postpartum disorders becoming a newly researched issue of interest.

What to Know About Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms

Postpartum anxiety is much more common than what is generally recognized.Knowledge is power, and it is vital for birthing people to know the symptoms of postpartum anxiety. In addition, having an awareness of the symptoms means that you or someone you love can access support when needed.

Postpartum symptoms include:

Prenatal Development Stages

High levels of stressandlittle partner or social supportduring pregnancy are two key contributing factors to the development of postpartum anxiety.Experiencing apreterm birthis another documented risk factor for developing postpartum anxiety. Additionally, smoking during pregnancy isn’t only a contributor toinfant health complications—it can also result in postpartum anxiety.

Other contributors to a diagnosis of postpartum anxiety include giving birth to an infant that has a hospital stay of two weeks or longer, a pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes, consuming more than seven drinks per week before conceiving, and experiencing at least six stressors during pregnancy.A decreased duration of breastfeeding can also lead to the development of postpartum anxiety.

Many of the causes of postpartum anxiety are outside of birthing people’s control. However, sometimes high-stress levels,an extended hospital stay, or decisions regarding breastfeeding are natural occurrences that birthing people cannot avoid. It isn’t lost on us how these risk factors may feel overwhelming.

A way to use the knowledge of the causes of postpartum anxiety without feeling disempowered is to share them withyour immediate community. Let your friends, family, and partner know what can lead to this diagnosis to ensure that you are supported, regardless of your birth outcomes. Also, giveyour doctor a heads upif you’re nervous about the risks of developing postpartum anxiety. You don’t have to go it alone.

Tokophobia: Fear of Childbirth and Pregnancy

Due to the fact that postpartum anxiety doesn’t have an official diagnosis in theDSM-5, doctors typically screen for risk factors in perinatal appointments.Keeping in mind that research on postpartum anxiety is still building, it is essential to insist that your doctorscreensfor this disorder.

Your medical care provider may assess for GAD or OCD symptoms in postpartum appointments. Again, it is important to advocate for yourself if you feel you may be experiencing postpartum anxiety anddo not feel your doctor adequately assesses the disorder. Alternatively, you may be offered a referral to apsychiatristfor further support.

It isn’t uncommon to have aco-occurring diagnosisof postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression.

How Long Does Postpartum Depression Last?

What to Do About Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms

The suggested treatment for postpartum anxiety includes medication,psychotherapy, andholistic forms of support. The recommended pharmacological treatment isselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications (SSRIs). It is important to note that SSRIs can present in breastmilk, so having a conversation with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication is extremely important.

Consistent psychotherapy can aid in decreasing symptoms of postpartum anxiety and exploring the root causes of the disorder. For those who find that SSRIs aren’t the best fit for them, psychotherapy on its own is an excellent treatment.Shifts in diet,taking supplements,exercise, andparenting classesare great additional support to postpartum anxiety treatment.

Coping With Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms

High levels of stress and unexpected birth outcomes can be significant indicators of postpartum anxiety. As such, having social support is key in coping with postpartum anxiety:

It is common to feel scared and powerless during pregnancy, but it doesn’t have to become your new normal.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Postpartum Psychosis Can Be Fatal If Left Untreated—Here’s What to Know

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS.The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression.Trends Neurosci. 2017;40(2):106-120. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009Goodman JH, Watson GR, Stubbs B.Anxiety disorders in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J. Affect. Disord.2016;203:292-331. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.033Dennis CL, Brown HK, Falah-Hassani K, Marini FC, Vigod SN.Identifying women at risk for sustained postpartum anxiety.J. Affect. Disord. 2017;213:131-137. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.02.013Farr SL, Dietz PM, O’Hara MW, Burley K, Ko JY.Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women.J. Women’s Health. 2014;23(2):120-128. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4438Farr SL, Dietz PM, O’Hara MW, Burley K, Ko JY.Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women.J. Women’s Health. 2014;23(2):120-128. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4438Paul IM, Downs DS, Schaefer EW, Beiler JS, Weisman CS.Postpartum anxiety and maternal-infant health outcomes.Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):e1218-e1224. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-2147Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS.The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression.Trends Neurosci. 2017;40(2):106-120. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS.The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression.Trends Neurosci. 2017;40(2):106-120. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009Goodman JH, Watson GR, Stubbs B.Anxiety disorders in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J. Affect. Disord.2016;203:292-331. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.033Dennis CL, Brown HK, Falah-Hassani K, Marini FC, Vigod SN.Identifying women at risk for sustained postpartum anxiety.J. Affect. Disord. 2017;213:131-137. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.02.013Farr SL, Dietz PM, O’Hara MW, Burley K, Ko JY.Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women.J. Women’s Health. 2014;23(2):120-128. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4438Farr SL, Dietz PM, O’Hara MW, Burley K, Ko JY.Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women.J. Women’s Health. 2014;23(2):120-128. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4438Paul IM, Downs DS, Schaefer EW, Beiler JS, Weisman CS.Postpartum anxiety and maternal-infant health outcomes.Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):e1218-e1224. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-2147Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS.The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression.Trends Neurosci. 2017;40(2):106-120. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS.The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression.Trends Neurosci. 2017;40(2):106-120. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009Goodman JH, Watson GR, Stubbs B.Anxiety disorders in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J. Affect. Disord.2016;203:292-331. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.033Dennis CL, Brown HK, Falah-Hassani K, Marini FC, Vigod SN.Identifying women at risk for sustained postpartum anxiety.J. Affect. Disord. 2017;213:131-137. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.02.013Farr SL, Dietz PM, O’Hara MW, Burley K, Ko JY.Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women.J. Women’s Health. 2014;23(2):120-128. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4438Farr SL, Dietz PM, O’Hara MW, Burley K, Ko JY.Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women.J. Women’s Health. 2014;23(2):120-128. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4438Paul IM, Downs DS, Schaefer EW, Beiler JS, Weisman CS.Postpartum anxiety and maternal-infant health outcomes.Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):e1218-e1224. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-2147Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS.The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression.Trends Neurosci. 2017;40(2):106-120. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009

Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS.The neurobiology of postpartum anxiety and depression.Trends Neurosci. 2017;40(2):106-120. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009

Goodman JH, Watson GR, Stubbs B.Anxiety disorders in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J. Affect. Disord.2016;203:292-331. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.033

Dennis CL, Brown HK, Falah-Hassani K, Marini FC, Vigod SN.Identifying women at risk for sustained postpartum anxiety.J. Affect. Disord. 2017;213:131-137. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.02.013

Farr SL, Dietz PM, O’Hara MW, Burley K, Ko JY.Postpartum anxiety and comorbid depression in a population-based sample of women.J. Women’s Health. 2014;23(2):120-128. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2013.4438

Paul IM, Downs DS, Schaefer EW, Beiler JS, Weisman CS.Postpartum anxiety and maternal-infant health outcomes.Pediatrics. 2013;131(4):e1218-e1224. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-2147

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