Early Warning Signs of Postpartum Depression/Anxiety/OCD
Adjusting to life with a newborn can feel overwhelming at times, to say the least. Not only are you likely recovering from childbirth, but you might be experiencing a hormonal roller coaster, engorged breasts, hot flashes, and physical pain. There is a lot happening physically, mentally, and emotionally when a mom is in her first few weeks of postpartum. Over half of mothers experience “baby blues” when they are freshly postpartum, and almost all mothers experience “emotional distress” after recently bringing home their babies. Of those percentages, 15-20% of mothers will develop a perinatal mood & anxiety disorder, AKA postpartum depression/anxiety. Research has shown us that unmanaged maternal mental illness can have lasting effects on both mom, baby, and the family. So what are some early warning signs or red flags that something more than “baby blues” might be going on?
- One of the most obvious red flags is your baby blues are not getting better. Baby blues are caused by the intense hormonal changes that women experience after childbirth – coupled with sleep deprivation, physical pain, and everything else women experience while postpartum. Typically, when you are two weeks postpartum, these hormone levels are to a much more “normal” range. FACT: The hormonal shift a woman experiences while postpartum is the biggest hormonal shift she will ever experience, higher than her monthly cycles, and higher than when she goes through menopause. Have some grace for the new moms you encounter!
- You are experiencing intense worry/doubt about your ability to be a good mom. Every mom, especially new moms, have had worries or doubts cross their mind at times. Every mom wants to be a great mother to their littles. However, if these thoughts seem never ending, consuming, and far more overwhelming than the typical/manageable worries and doubts you have, then this may be a sign of something more. This may be a developing perinatal mood & anxiety disorder.
- You either don’t sleep or you sleep too much. Ok, this one can be hard to decipher. Of course you aren’t sleeping “normal” because you have a baby! Newborns can be notoriously bad at sleeping and they often come out nocturnal. With that being said, if you have a hard time resting when the baby IS sleeping, this could be a red flag to keep an eye on. Of course, not all of us can take naps at the snap of our fingers (unlike our babies). However if nighttime comes and you still are struggling to get some shut eye, this could be a concern related to your mental health.
- You have thoughts about harming yourself or your baby. In my professional practice with new moms, this one typically has the most shame associated with it. However hear me in this: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. It is not uncommon for moms to have thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. This can be a sign of postpartum depression or OCD, and it can be incredibly distressing for a new mom. There is help, and a qualified therapist who specializes in maternal mental health will see how common and distressing this is for you and help you through it. Of course, remember that whenever experiencing suicidal or homicidal ideation, your local emergency department or psychiatric postpartum facility (preferably here if you have a local facility) is the go to. Your/your family’s safety is so important & you will get help and feel better.
To Conclude...
On an ending note, I encourage you and your partner to discuss your mental health, how to know if you are not doing well, and red flags/warning signs to look for before you have your child. Do know that in a lot of cases, postpartum depression/anxiety starts during the pregnancy and worsens after delivery/during postpartum. If you are feeling off, like your mental health is not in a good spot, or you are overwhelmed and struggling, then it may be of benefit to speak with a therapist. Your therapist will help you decipher what exactly you are experiencing, and he or she will help you to determine if it is common baby blues that will likely get better, or if it is something more going on. As always, if you have questions or comments about this blog post, feel free to contact me. If you think you might have a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, I would love to chat with you further and help process what is going on. If I am not the right therapist for you, then I’ll help you find the right fit! It is so important to receive quality, timely mental health care and it is such a strength to reach out for help!