12 Symptoms Of Postpartum Anxiety And Depression

Postpartum anxiety (PPA) and depression (PPD) may be a lot more common than people realize, with about one in nine mothers experiencing depression, and anywhere up to one in four feeling anxious (for the first six months, at least).

Clearly, the mental and physical strain of giving birth, especially for the first time, leave a mother in a state she has likely never experienced before, so it’s not surprising that coping with her new arrival can be difficult.

So how can a mother tell the difference between having a bad day and postpartum anxiety or depression?

This guide lists a dozen symptoms that may be experienced during this exciting but trying time.

Physical Symptoms

While most people associate PPA and PPD with mental and emotional symptoms, you may find there are physical symptoms too – apart, of course, from the feeling of being enormously tired.

These may include any or all of the following:

• back aches
• headaches
• nausea
• panic attacks
• upset stomach

So, if you suffer from any of these, or other physical aches and pains that cannot be easily explained, then you may have PPA / PPD, and you should consider seeing your doctor.

Anger

This can range from mild irritability to full-blown rage, and it can be directed at anybody, from your partner, your other family members, to your baby.

You may know that you shouldn’t be yelling at everybody, or even wanting to throw things, but most women say they cannot help it.

Constant Worry

Following on from the previous symptom, then if you do feel angry all the time, then you will also probably worry about how you’re treating others – because you know it’s wrong.

And beyond the natural worry about how best to care for your newborn, you may also find yourself worrying constantly about things that would never have bothered you previously.

Scary Thoughts

A step above worrying are the intrusive, scary thoughts that involuntarily pop into your brain without warning.

The most common of these thoughts will be along the lines of “What if?”, as you begin to imagine all sorts of horrors that might befall you and/or your baby – almost like you’re having a waking nightmare.

Brain Fog

It’s probably not a surprise that, after giving birth, your brain may not be operating at 100% for a while, but it can actually be worse – and more dangerous – than you imagine.

Cloudy thinking, not being able to remember things as easily, and struggling to find the right words, are some of the less severe aspects of the brain fog you may have, but more seriously, for example, you could drive through red traffic lights without stopping.

And lastly, you are likely aware that women are typically better at multitasking than men – but this may not be the case when you have PPA or PPD.

Blaming Yourself

While your irritability may have you blaming others for things that are not their fault, PPA and PPD can also have you blaming yourself too – also for things that are not your fault.

Insomnia

This goes beyond the natural concern for your newborn baby, where you may experience interrupted sleep.

It can be a lot worse, because of the feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and general worry – and you can find you cannot get to sleep even when there is an opportunity to do so.

Nothing Is Fun

Regardless of how fun-loving you were before the birth, you can find it hard to laugh at anything any longer, or you may turn down a chance to go to a party or other fun activity.

This can also be coupled with thinking that everything is unusually harder than it used to be.

Can’t Stop Crying

While it is somewhat normal within the first two weeks after your child’s birth, if you find you cannot stop crying after that, then this is likely a symptom of PPA / PPD.

And the slightest little thing can trigger it – right out of the blue.

Numbness

At the opposite end of the spectrum to all of these powerful emotions, such as sadness and rage, some mothers experience the exact opposite – complete emptiness and a consequent sensation of numbness.

You may feel like you’re no longer a part of the lives around you, almost like you’ve become disconnected from the world.

Some women have likened this to how people describe the results of astral projection or near-death experiences, i.e. where you are looking down at your own body, separate from it.

Personality Changes

This can be any of the above, or it may be a change in former habits, or even a need for less sleep (which is not the same as insomnia, where you want to sleep but can’t).

If these changes are drastic, then these symptoms can be serious and you should consider seeing your doctor immediately.

Feeling Unworthy

Even though you have just brought a new life into the world, you might feel that your family, or the world at large, would be better off without you.

There is, of course, no logic to this feeling, and I’m sure you can appreciate how dangerous this can be.

Desire To Cause Harm

And finally, you may feel as though you want to harm yourself, or, even worse, your baby.

As with the previous symptom, this is absolutely not healthy, and you need to discuss your feelings with somebody – your partner, another family member, a friend (particularly one who has experienced the same or similar feelings), or your doctor.

Conclusion

As you can see from all of the above, the range of symptoms can be varied and extensive, and unfortunately you may suffer from many of these simultaneously.

The key then is awareness of these symptoms in advance, so you can recognize them if and when they occur, but it’s important that not only you are prepared, but, where practical, your partner too, as nobody else is better placed to have your back.

Additional Resources

These are suggestions for those who wish to delve deeper into any of the above:

1. Childbirth and Postpartum: Overcoming Your 5 Biggest Fears
2. Childbirth and Postpartum: The New Dad’s Guide
3. The Fourth Trimester