Becoming a parent brings many changes and challenges. The joy of welcoming a new baby can be mixed with feelings of worry and fear. Many new parents experience anxiety, but it can be hard to tell if these feelings are normal or if they indicate postpartum anxiety.
Postpartum anxiety is more than just regular worries. It can feel overwhelming and affect your ability to care for yourself and your baby. Recognizing the difference between typical new parent fears and postpartum anxiety is important for your mental health.
At the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois, we are committed to helping mothers navigate the challenges of postpartum anxiety. Visit our website to explore resources, support groups, and professional advice tailored to your needs. Remember, understanding and addressing postpartum anxiety is the first step towards changing how you feel. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our support volunteers for the help you deserve.
Postpartum Depression Alliance of IL Director, Dr. Sarah Allen, was interviewed a few years ago by Anna Miller at US News about Postpartum Anxiety. Back then the realization that postpartum anxiety occurs almost as frequently as postpartum depression was quite new as research had focused more on postpartum depression. Now we are in 2024 there is much more research about postpartum anxiety and we know that approximately 10% of new moms experience anxiety that is severe enough to need treatment. Many more new moms have anxious thoughts that range from mild to moderate levels and they would like to know how to manage it and whether therapy would be helpful, so she has written this article so everyone can understand postpartum anxiety better.
