‘I’m not worried about our baby. I’m worried about you!’
A phrase that might be uttered by many a husband, whose wife is suffering from Postpartum Depression.
Yet, the irony is that it’s the Mother of the Child, that’s doing most of the worrying!
Most of us have heard of Postpartum Depression, but what about Postpartum Anxiety? That’s another serious mental health issue that makes its presence felt in the Postpartum Health arena of a newly christened ‘mother’. She has spent around 40 weeks eagerly waiting for her child, only to have her newfound joy cut short and replaced with a terrible bout of ‘anxiety’!
In this article, we at EuroKids strive to shed light on all things Postpartum Anxiety. From uncovering the Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety to knowing what the right Treatment for Postpartum Anxiety should be, you can rest assured you will have one less thing to ‘worry’ about, after reading this article!
Join us, as we shine the spotlight on a condition most mothers were not warned of enough: Postpartum Anxiety!
Table of Contents
- Postpartum Health Basics: Postpartum Depression vs Postpartum Anxiety
- The Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
- Treatment for Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum Health Basics: Postpartum Depression vs Postpartum Anxiety
It’s very common for people to confuse the symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety with that of a condition better known by most of us. Namely, Postpartum Depression.
While some of the symptoms of the two conditions overlap (such as the inability to relax and poor sleeping patterns), the symptoms in Postpartum Depression are ‘milder’, and usually last only a couple of weeks.
All said and done, there needs to be a correct diagnosis as to whether the mother is suffering from Postpartum Anxiety or Postpartum Depression. To that effect, we have curated the following section that explores the Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety.
The Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
Is my baby sleeping well? Are they hitting their milestones at the right time? These are just some of the questions that provoke an incessant amount of anxiety in new mothers. The good news is, even though that anxiety might seem a tad out of control, it is most certainly ‘treatable’!
That being said, is it ‘Postpartum Anxiety’, ‘Postpartum Depression’ or merely ‘Worry?’ The following symptoms are what you need to keep a watch out for, when looking to correctly diagnose the condition that is Postpartum Anxiety.
- Heart palpitations.
- Shortness of breath.
- The inability to sit in one place.
- A disruption in sleep patterns.
- An unnatural sense of dread vis-a-vis situations that are not dangerous.
- Not indulging in activities like one did earlier, or meeting friends.
- Starting to develop a ‘controlling’ nature.
- Obsessively checking things time and again.
- The inability to be calm.
- Being on edge.
Treatment for Postpartum Anxiety
You could call Postpartum Anxiety the lesser-known sibling of Postpartum Depression. After all, it is not as widely studied as the latter. That being said, it is estimated that around one in every five new mothers suffers from Postpartum Anxiety!
We said it earlier in this article, and we say it again here: Postpartum Anxiety is treatable! Presenting the best Treatment Options for Postpartum Anxiety, to help all those worried mothers get back to what they do best: ‘Loving Baby without Fear’!
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Medication
- Being part of a Support Group
- Natural Treatments
Sometimes, all it takes is talking to someone about how you feel. That is, someone other than friends and family. Needless to say, someone who is well-trained to handle these situations. For instance, the psychologist in question might help the mother rationalize her fears about her baby’s cold, helping her see that it is in no way life-threatening.
We live in an age where there is medicine available for just about every ailment. If that Postpartum Anxiety seems to be getting out of hand, one might want to consider taking Medication. Of course, you want to talk to your healthcare provider, to determine the right ‘type’ of medication and ‘dosage’.
Note: Generally speaking, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are the preferred choice of medication where it comes to treating Postpartum Anxiety. How they work is by increasing the level of ‘serotonin’ in the brain.
Plenty of times,mothers find themselves suddenly ‘alone’, after they have given birth to their babies. Luckily for them, there are plenty of support groups for new mothers out there that will make them feel like they ‘belong’, and are ‘understood’. This can work wonders, in helping to alleviate the symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety.
Even though it’s easier said than done, sometimes the best way to alleviate that sense of anxiety is to gain access to a healthier way of living. A mother in the throes of Postpartum Anxiety, can try the following natural remedies.
- There is no need to go to a gym. All it takes is a walk around the neighborhood.
- This practice has become quite the rage among plenty of people, and with good reason. The bonus here lies in the fact that a session of yoga can induce a good amount of ‘relaxation’.
- Sleeping Well. A lack of sleep will only exacerbate the anxiety mother feels. Just like Baby, Mumma needs plenty of sleep too!
- Eating Right. Eating a healthy diet that is well-balanced, might be crucial in determining our moods.
At EuroKids we believe that Postpartum Anxiety is common, and in most instances will go away with the passage of time. That being said, we urge you to share the helpful information outlined herein, with anyone you think might be suffering from Postpartum Anxiety!
