Becoming a mother is a wonderful experience, but it might come with a lot of anxiety. Many new mothers feel overwhelmed, and this can lead to a condition called postpartum anxiety. It is important to understand the postpartum anxiety symptoms so you can take action and seek help if needed.

In this article, let’s explore what are postpartum anxiety symptoms and when to seek help. This knowledge is essential for new moms to feel supported and empowered. 

How Postpartum Anxiety Affects Day-to-Day Life

Postpartum anxiety can make daily tasks feel very difficult. New moms may be overwhelmed with worry about their baby’s health, whether they’re good parents or fears that something bad might happen. Simple activities like feeding or changing the baby can trigger a lot of anxiety. This worry can also affect relationships with partners, family, and friends.

Moms with postpartum anxiety often struggle to sleep, even when the baby is sleeping. They may also find it hard to enjoy motherhood, feel disconnected from their baby, or avoid spending time with others. Over time, anxiety and exhaustion can feed into each other, making it even harder to cope.

Common Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms

The postpartum anxiety symptoms can vary from one person to another, but there are a few key signs that are common among many new mothers. Below are the most frequent  postpartum anxiety symptoms to look out for: 

• Worrying constantly: New moms often worry about their baby’s safety, health, or future constantly. 
• Feeling Stressed: It is hard to relax, and even when things are calm, you may feel on edge. 
• Trouble sleeping: You may find it difficult to sleep, even when the baby is sleeping soundly 
• Physical symptom: This could include things like headaches, stomachaches, or even rapid heartbeats 
• Avoiding situations: New mothers may avoid leaving the house or doing the things they once enjoyed because they fear something bad might happen. 
• Difficulty concentrating: Your mind may race, making it difficult to concentrate on tasks or complete simple activities.

Emotional Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum anxiety can deeply affect a new mom’s emotions. Many mothers feel an intense sense of fear or worry, even when things are going well. Emotional symptoms of postpartum anxiety may include:

• Overwhelming Anxiety: Constantly worrying that something bad will happen to the baby, which creates feelings of dread.
  
• Panic Attacks: Sudden waves of intense fear, often with physical signs like a racing heart, sweating, or shortness of breath.
  
• Guilt or Shame: Feeling bad for not enjoying motherhood as much as expected, or for being too anxious about the baby’s health.
  
• Mood Swings: Rapidly shifting emotions, moving from sadness to irritability or frustration.
  
• Isolation: Withdrawing from social activities or avoiding friends and family because of anxiety or fear.

If these emotional symptoms are not addressed, they can lead to more serious issues like depression.

Physical Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum anxiety affects both the mind and body. The constant worry can cause physical symptoms such as:

• Fatigue: Difficulty falling asleep, even when you’re tired, leading to exhaustion and worsening anxiety.
  
• Muscle Tension: Feeling tightness or soreness in the neck, shoulders, or back due to constant worry.
  
• Shortness of Breath: Breathing quickly or feeling like you can’t catch your breath during anxious moments or panic attacks.
  
• Increased Heart Rate: A fast heartbeat when anxiety spikes, which can make you feel shaky or light-headed.
  
• Headaches and Stomach Issues: Stress from anxiety can lead to headaches, stomachaches, or even nausea.

These physical symptoms make everyday tasks more challenging and can affect your overall health.

Behavioral Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum anxiety can also lead to noticeable changes in behavior. Some common behavioral symptoms include:

• Avoidance: Staying away from places or situations that cause anxiety, like leaving the house or being around others.
  
• Compulsive Checking: Frequently checking on the baby, even when there’s no reason for concern, such as repeatedly making sure the baby is breathing or safe.
• Overprotectiveness: Being overly cautious about the baby’s safety, such as not letting others hold the baby or constantly watching over them.
  
• Excessive Research: Obsessively searching for information online to ease anxiety, which can make it worse.
  
• Hypervigilance: Always being on high alert, feeling like something bad will happen, and struggling to relax or enjoy time with the baby.

Recognizing these behavioral symptoms can help new moms understand how anxiety is influencing their actions and daily lives.

How Long Do Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms Last?

The Duration of postpartum anxiety symptoms can differ depending on each individual. For some, the postpartum anxiety symptoms may last a few weeks and gradually disappear. For others, these feelings can linger for months or even longer if not addressed. Early recognition and support can help ease the burden of postpartum anxiety. Remember, every new mom’s experience is different, and there is no fixed timeline for recovery.

Treatment Options for Postpartum Anxiety

The good news is that postpartum anxiety can be treated. There are several ways to manage it, and using a combination of approaches often works best:

• Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is very effective for anxiety. It helps moms change negative thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope. 
• Medication: In some cases, doctors may recommend medications like anti-anxiety meds or antidepressants, especially if the anxiety is severe or affecting daily life. 
• Support Groups: Joining a group of moms going through similar experiences can provide comfort and reduce feelings of being alone. 
• Self-Care: Taking time to rest, eat well, and do activities that help you relax, like yoga or meditation, can greatly reduce anxiety. 
• Partner and Family Support: Having support at home is crucial. Talking openly with your partner or family about what you’re feeling can help reduce anxiety.

Getting professional help early can make postpartum anxiety much easier to handle and prevent it from getting worse.

FAQs

Q: What does postpartum anxiety feel like?

A: Postpartum anxiety is associated with unreasonable worrying, not with sorrow. If you feel panicked or devastated with frightened thoughts, you may be going through postpartum anxiety. Many of the signs of postpartum depression co-occur with postpartum anxiety, like disturbed sleep, heart pulses, or feeling scared.

Q: How long does it take for postpartum anxiety to go away?

A: You may be concerned that something will happen to the baby or that you will do something incorrect. These feelings manage to get less intense as you start to get used to taking care of a newborn, commonly after 2 or 3 months.

Q: What is the 555 rule for postpartum?

A: The 5-5-5 rule in postpartum can assist new mothers in handling their well-being. It recommends taking five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days near the bed to be sure you’re getting satisfactory rest. The first five days are planned for a mother to rest in bed and have skin-to-skin bonding time with the baby.

Conclusion

Having postpartum anxiety symptoms is really overwhelming, but you need not worry; you are not alone in this. There is help available for you. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward getting the support you need. Motherhood is a beautiful yet challenging journey, and it’s important to prioritize your well-being so you can be the best version of yourself for both your baby and you.

If you are struggling with postpartum anxiety symptoms, do not wait longer to seek help. At Calusa, we are here to help you and support you with our compassionate care tailored to your unique needs. Let us help you navigate this phase with confidence and peace of mind.

Reach out to Calusa today and take the first step toward feeling better. You deserve to enjoy every moment of motherhood.