In short
- Postpartum anxiety looks like fear focused on the baby: staying awake watching them breathe, not wanting anyone else to hold them including your partner, and constant worry that something will happen.
- Physical symptoms come with it: disrupted sleep, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, racing thoughts, and repeated checking.
- It can look harmless early on and become disabling over time, which is the main reason it is worth naming rather than waiting out.
- Practical things that help: one day at a time, rest when the baby rests, movement where you can manage it, saying the thoughts out loud to your partner or writing them down, and time alone.
- Limiting visitors until you feel steadier is a legitimate choice, not rudeness, and it is one of the few variables in the early weeks you can actually control.
Postpartum anxiety is a common occurrence that affects millions of women and even men across the globe. Having a child can come with incredible highs, but also terrible lows. Alongside the normal challenges new parents face, postpartum anxiety can create new obstacles that make parenting feel exhausting and draining. However, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible so you can enjoy time with your new child without feelings of anxiety or worry. Down below, we will share some tips on how to identify postpartum anxiety, symptoms of postpartum anxiety, and how exactly you can deal with it.
Identifying Postpartum Anxiety
● Staying awake throughout the night and watching over your child in fear of them stopping breathing
● Not wanting to have your child given to any other person for even a few minutes (can include significant other)
● Excessive worrying that your child will be in danger
● Mixed feelings about being a new parent
● Mood swings from happy to sad
Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
● Disrupted sleep
● Heart palpitations
● Loss of appetite
● Shortness of breath
● Racing thoughts
● Obsessing and creating fears
● Feeling anxious and fearful
● Checking things multiple times
● Wary of loved ones with your child
● Trying to control any situation pertaining your child
How to Deal with Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety can seem harmless in the beginning, but it can slowly cause debilitating behaviour over time. It should not be overlooked, as it can impact emotional and physical well being. To help prevent or deal with postpartum anxiety, self care and therapy are recommended. The self care methods as mentioned below can help those dealing with postpartum anxiety to heal their mental health and reduce stress:
● Take things one step/day at a time
● Be as active as possible
● Rest when your child rests
● Express your feelings and thoughts to your partner
● Write down any thoughts in a journal or diary
● Take some alone time
● Spend quality time with your significant other
● Limit or do not allow visitors to your home until you feel better
With the addition of a new family member it is clear that your family dynamic and life overall will change. It will take time to adjust and adapt to the changes, however by talking to your significant other and/or loved ones you trust about any concerns, it can help make the journey just a little bit easier. Feeling concerned, worried, and scared for yourself and your new child is normal, however if you start to feel that your mental health is suffering, please reach out to a trusted loved one or therapist. At Toronto Therapy Practice we have many year of experience with treating postpartum mental health challenges and we can help. Click here to book with one of our therapists right away.
The service behind this article
Postpartum therapySee how we work with this, who on the team does it, and what it costsClinically reviewed. Written by Mila Arsenijevic, MSW, RSW · Founder and Clinical Director, and reviewed by the clinical team on 3 January 2023. This article is general information, not a substitute for individual care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
