Anxiety: One of the many disguises of postnatal depression

Our society is mostly aware of the increased risk of maternal depression during a women’s pregnancy and after she has given birth. What is not common knowledge is that women are far more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety plays an important role in keeping us safe in genuine times of danger and can be a motivator to get things done. The problem is that for some people their body can trigger anxiety symptoms in the absence of stress to a disproportionate level. I am not talking about feelings of stress about mastering new tasks such as breast feeding.

Anxiety presents with a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. It feels like being totally on edge and worrying all the time. Physically it can present as an increased heart rate, sweating, muscle tension and/or difficulty breathing. If left untreated it can lead to panic attacks where there is an overwhelming belief that something bad is going to happen. There are sudden moments of intense fear where the body is flooded with physical sensations such as heart palpitations, dizziness, numbness and shortness of breath. Anxiety can interfere with a mothers’ appetite and sleep, it is easily misinterpreted as changes related to having a new baby.

Underlying personality types such as perfectionism and the need to be in control can make you more vulnerable. Other risk factors include isolation, a limited support network, birth trauma, an unsettled baby and experiencing other stressful events such as relationship conflict.

The first step is recognising that the anxiety is beyond manageable. It can be missed when you feel connected to your baby and still enjoying your life. If ensuring to eat and exercise regularly and making time for yourself does not shift things, then there’s no shame in seeking out a professional to unpack underlying drivers and treatment options. See previous blogs on self-care and mindfulness for further tips.