How to Spot Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms in Yourself or Loved Ones

This article will educate readers on how to recognize the symptoms of postpartum anxiety in themselves or their loved ones.

Postpartum anxiety is when new mothers experience anxiety disorders symptoms related to pregnancy. Some studies indicate that 25% of women experience symptoms of postpartum anxiety. Postpartum anxiety is more common in individuals with pre-existing anxiety symptoms or disorders, and it can also manifest alongside postpartum OCD or postpartum depression.

Many new mothers experience symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety as a result of legitimate stress, hormonal changes brought about by pregnancy, or a pre-existing history of anxiety disorders. It’s important to recognize postpartum anxiety signs and symptoms early and intervene where necessary to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby.

Recognizing symptoms of postpartum anxiety is important because symptoms can range in severity from one person to the next. Postpartum anxiety can be brought about by several different factors, including social anxiety experienced by mothers who are worried about fear or criticism relating to their parenting, as well as the sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone. This often leads to higher sensitivity to stress, which can quickly result in increased fears or anxiety.
Like other anxiety disorders, excessive worrying, as well as accompanying physical symptoms or secondary conditions, might manifest a few weeks after giving birth but slowly taper, but in other cases, they might get worse. By understanding what the different emotional, physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms are, you can check in with yourself or a loved one to see if symptoms might be getting worse enough that it’s time to speak to a professional.

The emotional postpartum anxiety signs and symptoms include the following:

1. A constant sense of dread or worry that something bad is going to happen for a new mother to themselves or, more importantly, to their baby
2. Constant and often uncontrollable crying
3. Being irritable or experiencing other mood swings
4. Feeling worthless or somehow inadequate as a mother
5. Losing interest in things you previously enjoyed
6. Struggling with feelings of failure, guilt, or shame

Emotional postpartum anxiety signs and symptoms often include feeling irritable all the time or as though you are on edge. New mothers might also be constantly fearful and on guard for something bad to happen.

Postpartum anxiety physical symptoms are often interrelated with emotional symptoms. Some examples include the following:

1. Dizziness
2. Nausea
3. Chest pain or a racing heart
4. Shortness of breath

Other physical symptoms can extend to eating and sleeping habits. It is not uncommon for a new mother with postpartum anxiety symptoms to have appetite changes, and this can go one way or the other but tends to be extreme, such as eating much more than usual or not eating enough.
Tangentially, the same thing happens with sleep. Sleeping problems include restless sleep, insomnia, or hypersomnia, where you sleep too much.
New mothers experiencing anxiety might have physical symptoms that extend to being easily started, feeling as though they are being smothered, dealing with light-headedness and sweaty hands, as well as a racing heart. Mothers might become easily tired yet restless and, at the same time, have trouble falling asleep. New mothers might struggle a lot to concentrate, feeling as though their mind goes blank all the time and they can’t seem to remember anything.
Secondary physical symptoms can include intestinal complications like constipation, diarrhea, or gas.

The behavioral symptoms of postpartum anxiety can include things like constant crying, particularly worsened by sleep issues. Those who experience severe anxiety might also have panic attacks, which can happen at any time, unrelated to a specific trigger or cause. This can exacerbate emotional and cognitive symptoms where individuals focus too much on the fear they have or anxiety about when the next panic attack might arise.
The behavioral symptoms of postpartum anxiety often include repetitive behaviors or seeking reassurance. A mother who is overwhelmed by postpartum anxiety might do online research to regularly make sure that she is doing the right things, taking care of her child the right way, and so on. She might call a family member or friend like her mother or an older sister who has several children to seek the same type of reassurance. It’s also not uncommon to avoid certain activities or engage in repetitive behaviors like regularly washing things.

The most common cognitive postpartum anxiety symptoms have to do with thoughts, particularly repeated thoughts or unwanted thoughts. For many mothers, these unwanted thoughts are repeated images and thoughts centered on upsetting things, frightening things, or distressing things, including thoughts of harm to yourself or your new baby.
These thoughts can reach the point where the cognitive postpartum anxiety signs and symptoms mirror obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some estimates indicate that upwards of 24% of new mothers have postpartum OCD, while others have this figure much lower, with an average of 5%.

Postpartum depression often co-occurs with postpartum anxiety, and many of their symptoms overlap.

1. Physical symptoms like crying for no reason, having problems concentrating, and feeling restless are the same in both conditions.
2. Behavioral changes like eating more or less than usual or sleeping more or less than usual are the same in both.
3. Emotional symptoms like irritability, hopelessness, or feelings of guilt are similar across both conditions.
4. Cognitive symptoms like feeling as though you are a terrible mother or being afraid of recurring thoughts about harm to yourself or your baby are the same across both.

It is important to recognize where these two overlap and where they differ so that you can determine whether you or someone in your family is struggling with one condition or both. Many women who struggle with depression after childbirth will have severe difficulty carrying out daily activities, including taking care of their infant, because of the depression. It’s not uncommon for women who experience postpartum depression to also have anxiety symptoms, as mentioned, like excessive worry or panic attacks.
Note: If you or someone close to you is dealing with symptoms of postpartum anxiety, don’t be afraid to seek help. It’s not uncommon for women to not know who to talk to, not to have a healthcare provider, worry about judgment if feelings are shared, or be ashamed of the challenges.
But, new mothers who are dealing with anxiety or depression need to be aware that thoughts about harm, like stabbing a new baby or drowning a baby while bathing, or just throwing the baby over the balcony, are normal symptoms, and they can frighten new mothers even if they know that they would never hurt their children. If you are struggling, talk to someone immediately, and don’t be afraid to share these thoughts.

Postpartum anxiety symptoms include emotional, physical, common behavioral, and cognitive symptoms. It is important to look out for these and seek professional help if any of these arise in yourself or in a loved one. Always offer support for new mothers and help raise awareness about postpartum anxiety to promote early detection and treatment.