By Stephanie N. Straub, LCSW
For you as a new parent and mother specifically you’ve heard the term “Baby Blues” used to describe the very common and normal short-term period of acute distress that comes after baby is born. But something about how you’re feeling just doesn’t feel “normal” to you. Baby is home and transitioning fine, but something doesn’t quite feel right. You just don’t feel like yourself and your shifting moods don’t match your experiences even thought everyone is telling you that it’s probably just the blues.
For many new mothers this time of transition can feel like a roller coaster ride that no book, blog, or Instagram follow could have ever prepared you for. But how do you know that what you’re feeling is within the realm of normal or requires some additional support?
The baby blues describes a very short period of time after baby is born lasting about 2-3 weeks where you may feel tearful, moody, or restless. It’s heavily influenced by massive hormonal shifts after the delivery of a baby and compounded by sleep deprivation, feeding issues and the stress of caring for a newborn baby. It’s often transient and comes and goes relatively quickly throughout the day and typically resolves on it’s own after that short period of time as your body begins to regulate and you start to develop your new routines as a parent/family.
If, however, your symptoms feel most intense and persistent you may be dealing with Postpartum Depression or another Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) like Postpartum Anxiety, Bi-Polar, OCD, PTSD, or in more rare cases, Psychosis.
Symptoms that indicate the presence of a mood or anxiety disorder include but certainly aren’t limited to: low mood, excessive crying, social isolation, low interest in activities previously engaged in, sleep/appetite disruption, anger or irritability, feeling restless or on edge, excessive worry, intrusive distressing thoughts, avoidance of triggering places or experiences, hypervigilance, nightmares, compulsive behaviors or rituals to prevent negative outcomes, rumination and more. Please keep in mind that the presence of these symptoms alone is not indicative of a mood or anxiety disorder. As a therapist we look at the intensity, frequency and duration of these symptoms along with the impact on functioning to determine if a PMAD is present.
One in five women will experience a PMAD during postpartum. Even with such a high prevalence it is highly stigmatized making new mothers feel even more isolated and alone in their struggle. If you or someone you know could use some additional support, we are here to help! Please reach out today to allow us to be part of your journey to have a rich and meaningful postpartum experience.