Postpartum Anxiety and OCD Coping Skills

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The number one most common complication after giving birth is postpartum anxiety- but almost no one is talking about it. It’s more common than infection, hemorrhage, or postpartum depression, but no one mentions it. But postpartum anxiety is super duper common. About 1 in 5 women experience heightened anxiety to the point of distress post partum. And it can make a new mom feel like her world is falling apart. But PPA is not your fault and it is treatable, so let’s talk about it and what we can do about it. One study showed that at least 18% of women experienced postpartum anxiety, it's probably much higher because it's underreported. And of the women with anxiety, 35% of them had postpartum depression as well. So let’s help people learn the signs of Postpartum Anxiety so they know to get the support they need. Signs and Symptoms Constant worry or dread- Worry about the baby’s safety, health and development Feeling on edge, like something is about to go wrong Excessive worry about your ability to handle being a parent. Irritability Sleep disruption- you can’t sleep because you’re worried (not just because that little munchkin wants a snack every 45 minutes) Racing thoughts Intrusive thoughts-like that you might harm a baby Physical symptoms like: feeling shaky, trembly, jittery, stomach aches, headaches, sweating, short breathing, etc. It usually occurs within the first couple weeks after birth, but can be triggered much later, even when you wean the baby. Some women experience symptoms of panic attacks or OCD Over 50 percent of new parents have recurrent intrusive thoughts of them harming the baby, like “What if I drop the baby?” so this is pretty normal, but for some people this leads to Postpartum OCD when obsessive thoughts become compulsive and overpowering. Compulsions are actions that are repeated to stop the anxiety and include frequent checking, cleaning or ordering things.

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

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If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.

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