Is my worry “normal” or is it postpartum anxiety?
Let me first start off by saying that given all of the stressors of modern parenting, it can seem as if anxiety is becoming the new norm, or perhaps it’s just more common and we’re no longer as hesitant to talk about it. While there is some level of nervousness, worry, and anxiety that comes with the transition to parenthood (and is healthy and adaptive), we’re seeing an increase in postpartum anxiety at clinical levels—causing levels of distress and impairment that interfere with daily functioning. It’s estimated that about 10% of mothers develop anxiety during the postpartum period.
So how do you differentiate between anxiety levels that are normal during postpartum and those that might require extra support or treatment?
You might start by asking yourself the following:
Are my anxious thoughts interfering with my ability to care for myself and/or my baby?
Do I lie awake at night even when I’m exhausted or sleep deprived because my racing thoughts won’t quiet down?
Am I spending so much time dealing with my anxiety that it’s detracting from other important activities?
Do I constantly find myself thinking about the worst-case scenario?
Answering yes to any of the above doesn’t necessarily mean you have a diagnosable anxiety disorder, but it might indicate that the level of overwhelm you’re experiencing warrants some extra support. And the good news here is that support is available and there’s lots of evidence that with treatment, people can recover from postpartum anxiety.
In the meantime, some helpful strategies to cope:
Move your body—a short walk or light stretching
Engage in deep breathing or mindfulness practices
Prioritize eating, drinking plenty of water, and sleep when you can
Seek social support—local or online support groups
