How to Know When New Parents' Worries Are Postpartum Anxiety (And When to Get Help)
Having a baby can be a joyful time, but many parents also feel overwhelmed by their new role and responsibilities. Feeling this way is a completely normal reaction to having a new mortal in your life to look up to—especially in the first few weeks.
But sometimes worry and anxiety can take center stage. When
this happens, it is possible that you could have a complaint of postpartum
anxiety. A postpartum anxiety disorder is any internal medical condition that
causes anxiety in the period after birth.
Examples of common postpartum anxiety disorders include
• Generalized anxiety complaint
• Complaint of fear
• Complaint of social anxiety
Postpartum anxiety can also be caused by other associated
conditions, such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Postpartum anxiety can occur at any time during the first 12
months after giving birth. It is said to affect about 1 in 5 new mothers. But
postpartum anxiety is probably actually more common because parents don't
always talk about it and quacks don't always ask about it.
Postpartum anxiety can cause physical and internal health
problems. It can make you less confident in your parenting skills, disrupt your
daily life and routine, and really affect your specific relationships. But
luckily, there are many different treatments that can help.
We then look at what postpartum anxiety can feel like, how
to get help and how it is treated.
What
does it feel like to have postpartum anxiety?
When you have postpartum anxiety, you can feel very upset to
the point where it interferes with your daily life. Concerns are generally
about the baby, but can also be about many other aspects of a new parent's
life. This can include feeling anxious about breastfeeding, feeding, social
relationships, going back to work or college, and whether or not you are being
a good enough parent.
In addition to constant distracting worries, you may have
other passions such as
• Tension
• Frustration
• Guilt or tonal guilt
• Fear of being left alone with the child
Postpartum anxiety can also cause physical symptoms,
including
• Troubled sleep
• Heart palpitations
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Lethargy and nervousness
What
are the different types of postpartum anxiety disorders?
There are many different types of anxiety disorders. Three
of the most common in the postpartum months are generalized anxiety, fear
complaints, and social anxiety. Let's discuss them briefly.
Postpartum Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is excessive caregiving that lasts for at least 6
months. It might seem so
• Restlessness
• Constant care
• Fear of the future
• Fatigue
• Pressure
• Poor attention and/or poor sleep
It is common in the first 6 months after giving birth and
can affect up to 1 in 10 new mothers.
Complaint
of postpartum anxiety (PD)
Postpartum PD is a condition where you have repeated bouts
of fear. The risk of postpartum PD is lower in women who have previously
complained of fear before childbirth. It occurs in more than 1 in 30 women in
the first few months after giving birth.
Symptoms of a fear complaint include:
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Pain in the coffin
• Dizziness
• Fear of dying
• Sweating
• Pulsating
Some mothers with postpartum PD may feel unable to leave
their homes for fear of having a panic attack in public.
Postpartum
complaint of social anxiety
The complaint of social anxiety is an extreme fear of being
watched and judged by other people. People with complaints of social anxiety
may avoid certain places and situations because of their anxiety about what
might happen. A complaint of social anxiety affects about 1 in 15 women after
giving birth.
Other
internal health conditions that cause postpartum anxiety
Other internal health conditions can also cause postpartum
anxiety. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD), and indeed postpartum depression. Let's take a
closer look.
Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is an internal medical condition that occurs in some
people who witness a frightening or life-threatening event. This can include a
complicated or dangerous birth, extreme pain or feeling out of control.
PTSD can cause distressing memories or flashbacks, agony,
and/or avoidance of certain situations. In postpartum PTSD, this can also
manifest as guilt, anxiety, depression, and/or difficulty breastfeeding or
relating to the new baby.
Postpartum
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a condition where you have compulsive studies,
obsessive actions, or both. This could include studies on the safety and health
of the child and rituals and actions to keep the child safe. People with OCD
often know that these preconceptions are "delusional," but feel
temporary relief by repeatedly performing certain actions or rituals.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
PPD is a condition that causes feelings of sadness and
emptiness lasting at least 2 weeks. Other symptoms include
• Lack of interest in your normal fitness
• Sleep problems
• Guilt
• Poor attention
• Changes in appetite
• Low energy
Death or suicide studies
Postpartum depression can also cause severe anxiety and even
panic attacks.
You can also have postpartum depression and postpartum
anxiety complaints at the same time. It is proven that 2 out of 3 women with
PPD also have anxiety complaints.
Who is
at risk of postpartum anxiety?
Anyone can have postpartum anxiety. But people who have
anxiety complaints before or during pregnancy are at an advanced threat of
having anxiety complaints after pregnancy. Up to 1 in 3 women with anxiety
during pregnancy experience some type of postpartum anxiety.
There are other risk factors for PPA. These include
• Lack of social support
• Stressful events during pregnancy or childbirth
• Younger age of the mother
• Specific gestures of trauma in old age
• Previous unwanted pregnancy
When
to Get Help for Postpartum Anxiety
Some postpartum anxiety is normal - especially during the
first 1-2 weeks (when it's called the baby blues). After all, getting excited
about your new baby and your role as a parent is part of what keeps your baby
safe.
But if your worries seem out of proportion, affect your
mood, or interfere with your daily life and relationships, it may also be time
to seek professional help. However, it is always better to ask: When in doubt.
Natural
treatments
There are some natural styles that can be helpful for alleviating
postpartum anxiety, such as
Skin-to-skin contact and amount of cuddling
Musical medicine
Massage from a partner
Another way you can use that can improve overall postpartum
internal health includes
• Be set. Parenting
training during pregnancy and the support of a trained professional during and
after pregnancy appear to reduce postpartum anxiety.
Create a support group. Spending time with other mothers
allows you to engage with fear and validate your experiences. But keep trying
if you don't have a network or haven't set up a network that's right for you.
Just having one new girlfriend can help you feel less alone.
• Add
physical movement. Light physical exertion can actually help improve
your mood. Whether you join a mommy yoga group or go for a walk alone with your
baby, try to get some form of physical activity every day. It will also help
you sleep and can give you a chance to meet other mothers and bond with your
baby.
Sleep. Of
course, this is a challenge for all busy parents. But getting more sleep can
help you feel less anxious. If possible, ask for help sneaking in during
daytime naps or early night. Cutting back on caffeine can help you sleep for
longer stretches.
Ask for
help. It may not come naturally, but it's okay to accept —
and ask for — help. Practice saying "yes" and try to be specific
about what help you need. Whether it's taking the baby for a walk so you can
have a nap, a hot porridge, doing the dinner dishes to get you through to an
early night, or just sitting with the baby while you rain or exercise - ask for
the help you need to look after about myself. Remember, you have to look after
yourself first before you can look after your child.
Anti-anxiety
specifics
SSRIs (like fluoxetine or sertraline) are prescriptions that
are used for a number of different internal health conditions, including
anxiety disorders, depression, and OCD. Since these specifics take up to a
month to work, your provider may also prescribe a short course of
benzodiazepines (such as lorazepam or Ativan). Benzodiazepines can help with
anxiety and sleep. However, they should only be taken for a short time.
Postpartum depression is a condition that involves physical,
emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in some women after giving birth.
Most new mothers experience “baby blues” after giving birth,
especially when they already have depression symptoms. About 1 in 10 of these
women develop more severe and long-lasting depression.
Our UrgentWay healthcare providers are here to provide
postpartum depression prognosis and postpartum depression treatment.
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