Understanding Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: You’re Not Alone
"Postpartum depression" is a term that is often used to describe a wide range of emotional and mental health experiences that can occur after the arrival of a child. In reality, there are many different diagnoses, symptoms, and emotional changes that may be present during this time, all of which are often grouped under the same label.
While these experiences are commonly associated with birth parents, they are not limited to them. Partners, adoptive parents, and anyone adjusting to life with a new child can experience similar emotional and mental health challenges.
Rather than focusing on a specific diagnosis, we encourage you to pay attention to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences you are having, and how they may be affecting your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Below is a list of symptoms and experiences that many individuals notice during pregnancy, postpartum, or while adjusting to the addition of a new child to their family.
Common Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
• Feelings of detachment or difficulty bonding with your baby
• Extreme disappointment about your child’s gender or appearance
• Guilt about feeding choices, sleep decisions, or returning to work
• Persistent worry during pregnancy about how your choices might affect your baby
• Wondering if you’re “losing your mind” or becoming unstable
• Avoiding leaving the house due to fears about what could happen
• Feeling inadequate or like you’re “not enough”
• Loss of appetite
• Questioning whether having a child was a mistake
• Intense anger toward your partner
• Worry that your baby is too fussy, “not a good baby,” or may have a disability
• Feeling isolated or lonely even when others are around
• Feeling misunderstood or unseen
• Ongoing worry about your health or your baby’s health, even with reassurance
• Missing your old life and longing for “normal” to return
• Scary thoughts or images you would never act on (intrusive thoughts), paired with fear that sharing them could lead to judgment or consequences
• Obsessive checking of social media, parenting apps, or comparisons to other parents
• Constant thoughts about potential dangers, whether realistic or not
• Feeling distressed about the state of your home
• Difficulty sleeping or feeling unable to “turn off your brain”
