Postpartum Mental Health:
Anxiety & Depression in New Moms
Written By: Victoria Obaniyi
Rebecca Sidoti, LCSW
OCD & Anxiety
Ketamine Therapist
VR Therapist
Caroline Goodhines
Postpartum Therapy
OCD & Anxiety
Depression
Ashlee Jacobs
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Jordyn Kaprowski
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Michele Myers
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Molly Weaver
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Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience filled with joy and new challenges. While it’s often portrayed as one of life’s happiest moments, many new mothers find themselves dealing with emotional shifts that are difficult to manage. Two of the most common postpartum mental health conditions—postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety—can often occur together, making the experience even more overwhelming.
What is Postpartum Anxiety?
Postpartum anxiety involves excessive and persistent worrying that develops after childbirth or adoption. This worry may feel uncontrollable and often centers around the baby’s safety or one’s ability to be a good parent. Symptoms can include panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, muscle tension, racing thoughts, and trouble focusing. In more severe cases, it may interfere with bonding or caregiving routines.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression goes beyond the typical “baby blues.” It includes persistent sadness, a sense of hopelessness, and extreme fatigue. Individuals may feel emotionally numb or overwhelmed to the point where basic tasks feel unmanageable. This condition often disrupts sleep, social interactions, and the ability to seek help. Without intervention, it can deeply impact a mother’s mental and emotional well-being.
Overlaps between Postpartum Anxiety & Depression
Sleep Disruption
Both conditions can lead to significant sleep disturbances. A mom experiencing postpartum anxiety may lie awake at night, unable to relax due to constant worry—often about her baby’s safety or her own ability to cope. On the other hand, postpartum depression can bring on insomnia fueled by sadness, restlessness, or feelings of inadequacy. Either way, sleep becomes fragmented, which only intensifies emotional exhaustion.
Postpartum Irritability and Emotional Outbursts
Irritability is a common response when mental and emotional reserves are drained. With postpartum anxiety, constant tension and fear can cause impatience or agitation, especially when routines are disrupted. Postpartum depression, meanwhile, may trigger emotional outbursts as a result of pent-up sadness or feelings of failure. Both can lead to strained relationships with loved ones and feelings of guilt.
Postpartum Socail Isolation
Both postpartum anxiety and depression can make new moms retreat from social interaction. Anxiety might cause overwhelming fear or distrust, leading a mother to avoid visitors or public outings for fear something could go wrong. Depression, on the other hand, can lead to feelings of worthlessness or the belief that others don’t understand—making the idea of socializing feel exhausting or pointless. Either way, isolation can deepen both conditions.
Postpartum Brain Fog
Difficulty concentrating is another shared symptom. Postpartum anxiety often brings racing thoughts and a heightened sense of alertness that makes it hard to focus on one task at a time. For moms with postpartum depression, persistent fatigue and emotional numbness can dull cognitive function, making everyday decisions feel overwhelming. In both cases, mental fog can interfere with parenting responsibilities and self-care.
Do Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Always Go Together?
Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety often appear together, but they don’t always. It’s possible to experience one without the other. Still, many symptoms overlap, and both conditions can be triggered by similar stressors—like hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, or the pressure of new responsibilities.
Because these conditions can feel so similar and even occur at the same time, it’s important to seek professional support early. Identifying the specific symptoms you’re experiencing can help tailor treatment that best supports your postpartum mental health.
Postpartum Therapy Options
Understanding your symptoms is the first step—getting help is the next. Therapy offers a safe, structured way to work through postpartum mental health challenges, whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or both.
Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a common and highly effective treatment for postpartum anxiety and depression. It helps identify negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier, more balanced thoughts. For moms struggling with guilt, self-doubt, or constant worry, CBT offers practical tools to manage emotional responses and regain a sense of control.
Many providers now offer online postpartum therapy for CBT, making it easier for new moms to access support from home on their own schedule.
Online Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT focuses on improving communication and relationships, especially those that may be strained during the postpartum period. It helps new moms navigate changes in roles, set boundaries, and seek support more effectively. IPT is usually short-term and can help strengthen key connections that support emotional wellness.
Online options for IPT are increasingly available, making therapy more accessible to new moms managing busy or unpredictable schedules.
The Benefits of Online Postpartum Therapy
Online postpartum therapy has become a vital option for new moms. With the demands of caring for a newborn, it’s not always realistic to attend in-person sessions. Online therapy removes barriers like travel time, childcare arrangements, and scheduling conflicts.
Through secure video calls or messaging platforms, moms can access licensed therapists who specialize in postpartum mental health. This format allows for more flexible, consistent support during one of the most emotionally intense phases of life. For many, simply having a judgment-free space to talk from the comfort of home can be a powerful step toward healing.
Online therapy options often include:
- Weekly video sessions
- Text or chat-based therapy
- On-demand support or guided programs
- Access to therapists with experience in postpartum mental health
Get Postpartum Mental Health Support today
Postpartum depression and anxiety are common, often connected, and deeply personal experiences. Understanding how they overlap—and recognizing their symptoms early—can help you take meaningful steps toward recovery. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, constantly worried, or emotionally numb, you're not alone, and what you're feeling is valid. Support is available, and options like online postpartum therapy make it easier than ever to access the help you need. By prioritizing your postpartum mental health, you're not just caring for yourself—you’re building the foundation for a healthier future for you and your baby.
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