Ten Realistic Strategies For Managing Postpartum Anxiety

If you’re pregnant or you’ve given birth in the past year and you’ve been experiencing intrusive thoughts (they can get pretty dark but are not suicidal) and overwhelming nervousness and irritability, you may be struggling with a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.

In case you aren’t aware of the statistics, postpartum mood disorders, such as postpartum depression and anxiety are the #1 complication of childbirth.

Our cultural expectations of women and the lack of support for them is a huge part of the problem, not something that’s broken inside you. And even if you’re genetically predisposed to anxiety and depression, that’s not your fault.

As a licensed therapist certified in perinatal mental health, I have a few things to offer on this topic, and they’re all grounded in reality and science.