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Are you pregnant and wondering why you're not as excited as you "should" be? Have you just given birth and feel like you're struggling?
Pregnancy can be a beautiful and meaningful experience, but it can also bring unexpected emotions, worries, relationship changes, and feelings of overwhelm. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, changes in identity, pregnancy-related stress, or simply want support during this important season of life, you don’t have to go through it alone.
How do I know if I have a postpartum diagnosis?
It can be hard to know if what you're experiencing after having a baby is normal challenges or escalating to something more. Postpartum can look different for everyone, but you're not alone. Below are some ways mental health can show up in postpartum.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression occurs when the "baby blues" after childbirth are more intense or lasting longer than a few weeks. Symptoms include:
Persistent low mood or mood swings
Irritability
Crying spells
Isolation from friends and family
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Difficulty falling/staying asleep or sleeping too much.
Poor appetite or overeating
Loss of interest
Difficulty concentrating/poor memory
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Thoughts of death or suicide.
Postpartum Anxiety/OCD
Postpartum Anxiety/OCD
Postpartum anxiety may present with or without postpartum depression. Symptoms may include:
Persistent worry.
Racing thoughts.
Poor sleep/appetite
Restlessness
Feeling something bad could happen
Panic attacks
OCD can also feel similar to postpartum anxiety; however, it is characterized by unwanted intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and urges to complete actions to relieve these (compulsions). Symptoms may look like:
Intrusive thoughts related to the baby.
The need to do repetitive actions to reduce the anxiety that comes as a result of the intrusive thoughts (safety checks, counting, reassurance seeking)
Panic around the Obsession/Compulsion Cycle
Hypervigilance around the baby.
Fear of being left alone with the baby.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum Psychosis often occurs in the first two weeks after childbirth. Symptoms include:
Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling things that aren't there)
Delusions (false beleifs)
Increased agitation
Increased energy/mania
Depression
Decreased need for sleep or difficulty falling asleep.
Mood swings
Paranoia
Difficulty thinking
How do you treat Perinatal Mental Health and Postpartum?
Our team starts by evaluating what your primary concerns are and establishing a plan to help support you through this journey. We approach this by using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Strength Based Focus, Relapse Prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). By focusing on a combination of skills, your strengths, and goals, we work collaboratively to identify a plan to help support you through this time of change.
What do I do if I am struggling?
Pregnancy is an amazing and challenging time of life. Taking the first steps can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help. Our team can work with you to provide the support you need during this time.
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