Postpartum anxiety occurs after childbirth, it leads mothers to worry excessively over their newborns. This...
Postpartum anxiety occurs after childbirth, it leads mothers to worry excessively over their newborns.
This type of anxiety goes way beyond the acceptable style of worries mothers have about their children.
Women who go through postpartum anxiety worry constantly about little things like whether their babies are breathing properly or eating well and they panic over such matters most times.
These thoughts consume your entire being since you rarely have the opportunity to think about something else.
In some cases, mothers develop OCD after childbirth because of the intense need to constantly take care of their child.
If you're experiencing this type of anxiety, you'll constantly be in a state of unrest and dissatisfaction over how you care for your child.
It sometimes makes women overly protective of their children and in worst-case scenarios, they don't allow other people to get close to their children.
You may be asking, 'how do I know that I have postpartum anxiety?'
The constant fear of the unknown about your baby's health
Apart from the physical signs of postpartum anxiety, you could also note that the person's emotions will become so disrupted that they;
Having a kid is not a child's play. Looking after children has never been easy.
When you get pregnant, your hormones become a very active part of your life, and most times, they dictate how you act if you can't control them. Hormones like oxytocin causes a mother and her baby to bond.
When postpartum anxiety kicks in, the function of oxytocin may turn into something fatal.
This hormone's function meant for good can turn ugly and cause the mother to obsess over the baby if she has postpartum anxiety.
While hormones play a significant role in causing postpartum anxiety, other external factors cause it:
Every woman has a unique way of thinking, which affects how they can personally handle postpartum anxiety.
With this in mind, it is of essence to note that each woman may have what works for her, it is advisable to visit a professional and see what works for you.
Highlighted below are a few means by which postpartum anxiety is treated.
Postpartum anxiety brings about irrational worry over the care of a newborn child.
It makes mothers excessively protective of their babies.
However, postpartum depression on the other hand causes women to become depressed.
In worst-case scenarios, they neglect their responsibility to their kids and themselves.
Postpartum depression has gained a lot of media attention, whereas postpartum anxiety is still in process of being identified.
It is easy to wave off postpartum anxiety as motherly care of newborns but it is just as dangerous as any other anxiety that is in existence.
If you notice any symptoms of postpartum anxiety after childbirth, you seek help because there's no shame in that.
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/postpartum-anxiety#causes
https://www.parents.com/parenting/moms/healthy-mom/the-other-postpartum-problem-anxiety/
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/809652
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22693-postpartum-anxiety
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
To reduce your anxiety, you can practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness practices. Additionally, regular exercise has been found to be beneficial in managing stress and improving mental health.
It's important that you feel comfortable discussing personal matters with your therapist in order to open up and get more out of therapy sessions; therefore finding someone who meets certain criteria like experience level, expertise areas, and personality is key when selecting a therapist who can give meaningful feedback about how best handle issues related to anxiety or other mental health concerns.
The duration of anxiety counseling varies for each individual, depending on the severity of their anxiety and their progress in therapy. Our therapists will regularly assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Medication is often prescribed for anxiety due to the fact that it works quickly to ease symptoms of distress or panic attacks in some cases. However, this should always be discussed with your doctor so they can provide guidance on what's right for you and the type of medication best suited for your needs.
Ignoring anxiety can exacerbate symptoms and make it more challenging to manage over time. This can result in a negative impact on your personal, professional, and social life, leading to feelings of isolation and even depression.
Addressing anxiety is crucial because it can significantly impact your quality of life and overall well-being. Left untreated, anxiety can lead to more severe mental health issues, relationship problems, and difficulty functioning in daily life.
