If you’re looking for something to treat postpartum anxiety (and hoping for an alternative to talk therapy), you’re in the right place. As a licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of experience working with people who have OCD and anxiety, I’ve also personally navigated life with OCD and anxiety. Trust me when I say that I know firsthand how scary this can be. 

Often, what seems like general anxiety may actually be OCD, which is why I believe it’s so important to understand the nuances of both. 

Whether it’s you or someone you love suffering today, we’re diving into postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD, conditions that are slowly gaining much-needed attention alongside the more commonly recognized postpartum depression. If you’re ready to take control of your mental health (and want a system that helps you be your own therapist!), I would love to invite you to check out my OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint here.

First, what is postpartum anxiety? 

Before I dive into how to treat postpartum anxiety, I want to back up a second and share a little bit more about it (because there still isn’t anywhere close to enough resources and awareness around it yet!). Postpartum anxiety is a condition that many new mothers experience. For a long time, the focus for new mother’s mental health was primarily on postpartum depression, which left many women feeling isolated and misunderstood when their symptoms didn’t fit the classic signs of depression. 

Postpartum anxiety, however, can be just as debilitating. Symptoms of postpartum anxiety include excessive worry, feelings of dread, and an overwhelming sense of fear that something terrible might happen to their baby. This in turn may cause new moms to experience physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is asleep. 

These feelings go beyond the usual concerns of new motherhood, becoming intrusive and persistent. Recognizing this is so important because postpartum anxiety can significantly impact a mother’s well-being and her ability to bond with her new baby. 

The Difference Between Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum OCD, Postpartum Depression, and “Baby Blues”

Just to really drive this point home (it’s important to understand this – I promise!), I want to talk a little bit more about understanding the differences between postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, postpartum depression, and the “baby blues”. We’ve talked a little bit about postpartum anxiety already, but because these things are often misdiagnosed, I want to break down other conditions and symptoms you might be experiencing.

At the base level, Postpartum OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) involves intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. When struggling with Postpartum OCD, mothers may have distressing, repetitive thoughts about harm coming to their baby and then engage in repetitive behaviors to prevent these fears from becoming reality. These compulsions (like excessive cleaning or checking on the baby), are all attempts to reduce the anxiety these thoughts provoke. While this does work in the short-term, it almost always makes the anxiety worse, which I talk about at length in the OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint..

Postpartum Depression is one of the most widely recognized conditions for new moms and involves a persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.

Mothers with postpartum depression may have trouble bonding with their baby, experience changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and feel overwhelming fatigue. Unlike the more transient baby blues, which we will talk about next, postpartum depression can last for months if not treated and can severely impact a mother’s ability to care for herself and her child.

Do you see how each of these conditions is similar, yet different? Now let’s compare them to the “baby blues”.

The “Baby Blues” are experienced by up to 80% of new mothers and typically occur within the first two weeks after childbirth. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. These feelings are generally mild and temporary, resolving on their own as hormones stabilize and you adjust to the new demands of motherhood.

The Causes and Risk Factors of Postpartum Anxiety or Postpartum OCD

Because there is such a stigma around the mental health of new mothers (and mental health in general), I also want to share more about the causes and risk factors in detail for postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, and postpartum depression:

Physical and Emotional Stress of Childbirth and Parenting

First, let’s start with the most obvious one. The physical and emotional demands of childbirth and early parenting can be overwhelming. Not only is the physical recovery a significant stressor on your body (regardless of how you delivered your baby), but coupled with the emotional responsibility of caring for a newborn, sleepless nights, and the pressure to meet the baby’s needs, it can really exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression. 

For women with postpartum OCD in particular, the intense desire to protect their baby can also manifest as intrusive, obsessive thoughts. These might be thoughts you don’t feel comfortable sharing with a therapist or someone else you know, which can lead to a lack of support (which I will share more about below).

Hormonal Changes After Childbirth

Although these are often considered mental health conditions, the truth is that there are physical changes in your body or hormones that contribute. After childbirth, levels of estrogen and progesterone drop sharply, which can trigger mood swings and emotional instability. This hormonal shift can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, contributing to anxiety, OCD symptoms, and depression. 

Personal and Family History of Anxiety Disorders

Next, a personal or family history of anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders is a major risk factor. If you have previously experienced anxiety or depression, you are more likely to experience these conditions postpartum. Genetics and past experiences with mental health issues can make new mothers more susceptible to postpartum anxiety and depression, as their brains may be more sensitive to hormonal changes and stressors. 

That’s one of the reasons I believe so deeply in the OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint. Anxiety can quickly become generalized and you are more likely to struggle with it again if you’ve struggled in the past. That doesn’t mean it needs to control your life though! You just need the tools to be able to handle it when it comes.

Lack of Support or Social Isolation

Lastly, support systems play a big role in a new mother’s mental health. Women who lack support from partners, family, or friends, or who feel socially isolated, are at higher risk for postpartum mental health issues. I know that this isn’t always easy to change, but social isolation can intensify feelings of anxiety and depression because mothers may feel overwhelmed and alone in their experiences. Inadequate support can also exacerbate the stress of parenting, making it harder to cope with the demands of a newborn.

Now, let’s get back to what you came here for: learning how to treat postpartum anxiety.

Treating Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD

Treating postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD requires a careful, evidence-based approach that goes beyond quick fixes and targets the root of these conditions. We are extremely passionate about this over here, because as someone who has struggled with OCD and anxiety since I was a kid (and have been helping others since 2008!), I know how much bad information there really is out there! 

For example, I take a firm stand against commonly recommended strategies like talk therapy, challenging thoughts, deep breathing, and meditation for treating OCD and anxiety. While these methods can sometimes offer temporary relief, they often make things worse in the long run. 

Instead, I focus on proven, sustainable strategies that address the underlying issues and provide long-term relief. My blueprint course is designed to provide new mothers (and anyone struggling to reclaim their life from the grips of OCD and anxiety) with effective tools and strategies to manage their symptoms and regain control of their lives. To learn more about the strategies I use (like Exposure and Response Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), head here.

While medication can be a part of the treatment plan, it is important to consult with a psychiatrist to determine the best options.

Getting Help With Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD

If you’re struggling with postpartum anxiety or OCD, I’ve created the OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint to give you a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to help you manage your anxiety effectively. As someone who has struggled with OCD and anxiety (and who has a little myself!), I just want to say that this is the hard work worth doing and you CAN break free from the shackles of anxiety. I’d love to support you as you do! For a free training on 5 strategies I use to conquer your intrusive thoughts and anxiety, head here next!