How to overcome postpartum anxiety
Postpartum anxiety is quite common and women must recognize the symptoms to overcome it.
Postpartum anxiety is quite common in women who have given birth, but many of them are not able to recognize what is happening to them and what is worse, instead of seeking help, what they do is feel guilty for feeling that way. In fact, postpartum anxiety is quite common and women must recognize the symptoms to be able to identify what is happening to them and thus seek the help they need to be able to balance their life and their emotions.
The symptoms are usually: agitation, nervousness, worry, eating problems, negative and intrusive thoughts, feeling incapable, lack of sleep, etc. But also, in addition to the symptoms, it is also necessary to recognize the triggers.
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TRIGGERS FOR POSTPARTUM ANXIETY
It is necessary to recognize this condition to know that there are also triggers that can cause anxiety to appear. For starters, there’s a big hormonal shift: estrogen and progesterone levels rise 10 to 100 times during pregnancy, then drop to practically zero within 24 hours of delivery. In the days that follow, the woman has to deal with sleep deprivation, changes in her relationship with her partner, new schedules and responsibilities, including 24-hour newborn care.
To all this must be added the expectation of this society that instills that women should feel happy and that they know how to do everything instinctively, something that will make women with anxiety feel even more guilty.
Any mother can develop postpartum anxiety, especially those who are vulnerable due to a personal or family history of anxiety or depression, symptoms of PMS, eating disorders or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Women who have had a miscarriage or stillbirth are more susceptible to postpartum anxiety and depression even after a healthy delivery. Mothers with postpartum anxiety often describe themselves as being sensitive or easily worrying about everything.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR POSTPARTUM ANXIETY
Unlike the baby blues, which lasts for about two weeks, postpartum anxiety doesn’t always go away on its own. It is crucial to seek help if anxiety interrupts your sleep or if you are constantly preoccupied with anything.
In moderate to severe untreated cases , postpartum anxiety can last indefinitely. Mood disorders don’t always go away on their own. In fact, in some cases, if left untreated, they can cause women to have mental illness throughout their lives . Fortunately, there are several treatments for postpartum anxiety. The first thing to try is a combination of support and therapy. Sometimes just having someone to talk to or give you a break from baby chores can go a long way.
When you feel a lot of concern, go to your doctor and ask him to refer you to a trusted therapist who has experience in similar cases. Go to a cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy gives you the skills to change the patterns of thought and behavior that lead to anxiety. For example, if you tend to think that the baby has a serious illness at the first sign of inhalation, this therapy can help you develop a more realistic perspective, such as that it may just be a cold. It does not consist of a positive thought, if not a rational one.
In therapy they can also help you learn relaxation techniques such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness. Exercise can also ease anxiety and help you feel stronger. If your doctor sees fit, he or she may temporarily send you medication to treat anxiety symptoms.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.