Recognizing the Signs of Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

You Can be Sad, Mad and Worried, and Still Love Your Baby

Maybe it’s baby blues? Maybe it’s just the hormones? What’s baby blues again? I’m so tired. Is it supposed to be this hard? Look at that mom and her baby, they look so natural…maybe I’m just not meant for this. What if I drop my baby? That’s a horrible thought! Why would I think that? Is that normal? Is any of this normal? 

These are a sampling of thoughts that may race through a new birthing parent’s mind. Yet, many worries go unvoiced due to shame or even fear someone may take their baby away if they were to be honest. Moreover, rather than honest conversations, childbearing individuals are often given well-meaning platitudes like, “enjoy every moment” or “sleep when the baby sleeps,” causing the new parent to feel even more isolated. 

This endless cycle of scary/sad thoughts and secrecy breeds even more misconceptions about what is “normal” in postpartum mental health. 

During Maternal Mental Health week it’s important to spread the word on the postpartum experience and possible mental health complications. 

“Baby Blues”

After giving birth, a hormonal shift occurs which entails a rapid drop in both progesterone and estrogen levels. Due to this decrease, birth-givers may experience discomfort, irritability, mood swings, fatigue, and self-doubt. This emotional upheaval, which impacts 75% of new birthing individuals,  has been dubiously dubbed the innocuous and misleading name of “baby blues”. While causing significant discomfort, baby blues typically resolve after two weeks.

Postpartum Depression and Anxiety 

Postpartum (post-pregnancy) depression and anxiety impact approximately 1 in 5 birthing individuals. Signs of postpartum depression include: lack of bond or interest in the baby, increased anger or rage, deep sadness, loss of pleasure, feelings of hopelessness, and crying spells. These emotions feel more intense than baby blues, last longer (months, not weeks) and are more persistent. Signs of postpartum depression and anxiety include: persistent worry, feeling on edge, and anger or rage. It can also include physical symptoms like sleep and eating disturbances, dizziness, and nausea. In some intense cases, individuals may experience thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. These parents can go to any ER and receive immediate attention.  

However, simply because someone has postpartum depression and anxiety does not automatically mean they want to cause harm to themselves or others. In fact, because of this misconception, individuals may begin to self-isolate over concern that their behavior isn’t normal or too scary to share. However, turning away help can often exacerbate the symptoms, heightening their depression and anxiety. 

All it takes is that one brave moment to share with a trusted person how you are feeling or thinking. So often I hear, “I told a friend how I was feeling and they said they experienced the same! I feel less alone now but I wish they had told me.” Sharing makes parenting less scary, sharing normalizes our struggle, sharing allows us to get the help we need. 

Many individuals with postpartum depression or anxiety benefit from therapy and medication. A safe space with a mental health professional can allow you to work through what you’re experiencing, find the right coping skills, and adapt to your new life as a parent. 

Facts about the Postpartum Experience 

• Postpartum Depression and Anxiety does not always mean you want to harm yourself or your baby

• Loving parents may take time to bond with their baby 

• Even the best moms may have scary and overwhelming thoughts 

• Your friend is not a better mom than you, they may be struggling too

• The more safe people we let in, the more support we have in this transition 

• Asking for help does not make you a burden 

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, find your one brave moment and share. A whole world of better mental health is one conversation away.

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References:

Hahn, A., Eickhoff, S. B., Habel, U., Stickeler, E., Schnakenberg, P., & Goecke, T. W. (2024). Baby blues, premenstrual syndrome and postpartum affective disorders: Intersection of risk factors and reciprocal influences. BJPsych Open, 10(1), e3. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2023.612 

Postpartum Support International., Perinatal Mental Health, Symptoms, and Treatment https://postpartum.net/perinatal-mental-health/.