Postpartum Anxiety vs. Postpartum Depression: Understanding the Differences

Hey, Shameless Mamas - Let’s Talk about Maternal Mental Health

Bringing a new baby into the world is a life-changing experience—one filled with joy, exhaustion, and a whirlwind of emotions. But for many mothers, the postpartum period also brings unexpected mental health challenges. While postpartum depression (PPD) is widely discussed, postpartum anxiety (PPA) is often overlooked, despite being just as common. Understanding the differences between these conditions is essential for new mothers seeking support and healing.

What Is Postpartum Anxiety?

Postpartum anxiety is characterized by excessive worry, fear, and nervousness that go beyond the typical concerns of new motherhood. While it’s natural to feel protective of your baby, postpartum anxiety can make daily life feel overwhelming and exhausting.

Common Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety:

• Constant worry that something bad will happen to your baby

• Racing thoughts that won’t slow down

• Physical symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or a racing heart

• Difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is sleeping

• Feeling on edge, restless, or irritable

• Panic attacks or sudden waves of fear

If you’re struggling with these symptoms, a postpartum anxiety therapist can help you navigate this challenging time and find relief.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects a mother’s ability to experience joy and engage in daily life. Unlike postpartum anxiety, which centers around excessive worry, postpartum depression often manifests as deep sadness, hopelessness, or emotional numbness.

Common Symptoms of Postpartum Depression:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness

• Loss of interest in things that used to bring joy

• Fatigue and lack of motivation

• Feeling disconnected from your baby or struggling to bond

• Crying frequently for no clear reason

• Thoughts of self-harm or feeling like your family would be better off without you

If you are experiencing these symptoms, seeking help from a postpartum depression therapist can provide you with the tools and support you need to heal.

Can You Have Both Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum Depression?

Yes! Many women experience a combination of postpartum anxiety and depression. It’s common for symptoms to overlap, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Some mothers may first notice anxiety and then experience depression later, while others may struggle with both from the beginning.

How to Get Help

If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum anxiety or depression, you are not alone, and you are not failing as a mother. These conditions are real, common, and treatable. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Ways to Start Your Healing Journey:

• Talk to a Postpartum Therapist: A perinatal mental health specialist can provide tools and coping strategies tailored to your needs.

• Consider EMDR Therapy: If birth trauma or past experiences are contributing to your anxiety or depression, EMDR therapy can help you process and heal.

• Lean on Your Support System: Let trusted family members and friends know what you’re going through.

• Postpartum Depression Treatment in CA: If you are looking for postpartum depression treatment in CA, there are many options available, including therapy, medication, and holistic approaches.

You Deserve Support

Motherhood is challenging enough without battling anxiety or depression in silence. If you are struggling, reach out for help—you deserve to feel supported, understood, and well. At Shameless Mama Wellness, we believe in eradicating shame from the mothering experience and helping new mothers navigate the complexities of postpartum mental health.

If this sounds like you, schedule a consultation today with a therapist for postpartum depression. 

Ready to start your healing journey? Contact Shameless Mama Wellness today to schedule a free consultation.

With Warmth and in Solidarity,
Marilyn

I provide a safe haven to discuss the thoughts you keep hidden.

As a Postpartum Therapist in California, I offer many services utilizing evidence-based treatments. Some services at Shameless Mama Wellness include treatment for postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, birth trauma therapy, fertility counseling, therapy for miscarriage and loss, pregnancy therapy and treatment for NICU PTSD.

Online therapy available to new moms in California.