Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety involves excessive worry and physical anxiety symptoms during or after pregnancy. It is as common as postpartum depression but less often recognized.
Symptoms
Constant worry about the baby, racing thoughts, inability to relax, irritability, sleep difficulty, and physical tension.
Causes and risk
Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, prior anxiety, traumatic birth, and perfectionism.
How it is evaluated
Anxiety symptoms, intrusive thoughts, functioning, sleep, and differentiating from OCD or birth-related PTSD.
Treatment
CBT, medication when appropriate, relaxation strategies, and building parenting confidence.