What Is Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)?
People often associate postpartum mental health challenges with postpartum depression (PPD), but postpartum anxiety (PPA) is just as common—affecting up to 21% of postpartum people. The tricky thing about PPA is that many who experience it can still manage most daily tasks, unlike those with severe PPD who may struggle to function. Because of this, PPA can often go unnoticed or unaddressed.
PPA can look different for everyone, but one thing I learned during my fellowship year is this: at the root of all anxiety is uncertainty. And there’s no shortage of uncertainty in pregnancy and parenthood! It’s no wonder that PPA is such a common occurrence. Symptoms may include:
Tension and restlessness
Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
Insomnia and racing thoughts
Intrusive thoughts that feel impossible to control
“But aren’t these just normal postpartum experiences?”
Yes—and that’s where it gets confusing. Many of these symptoms are part of the typical adjustment period after birth. But if they don’t improve after a few weeks, or if they intensify to the point where they disrupt your daily life or your ability to enjoy your baby, you may be experiencing PPA.
My Own Experience with PPA
I’ve gone back and forth about whether to share my own experience with PPA. As a professional, I value maintaining clear boundaries—but I also bring a realness to my work that many of my clients appreciate. And the truth is, my journey with PPA informs the empathy and understanding I bring to every session.
My PPA was rooted in a desire to do everything myself. It was amplified by the intense mom guilt I felt while working over 50 hours a week during my first year postpartum. I felt like I was losing control over how my son was being parented—and that terrified me.
I remember sitting in my office during my residency, consumed by an irrational but relentless fear: What if, someday, my son dies? The thought spiraled further: If something happened to him, I would never be able to continue as a therapist. How could I help others when I couldn’t even protect my own child?
I knew the thought was irrational. Statistically, the likelihood of something happening to my son was low. But I couldn’t shake the anxiety. It clung to me through the entire first year of his life.
PPA Can Be Hard to Identify—but You’re Not Alone
PPA often flies under the radar because it can hide behind the busyness of new parenthood. It’s easy to write off the tension, fatigue, and intrusive thoughts as part of adjusting to life with a baby. But if those feelings persist or intensify, it’s okay to ask for help.
If you’re wondering whether what you’re feeling is more than the typical postpartum adjustment, I’m here to help you explore that. You don’t have to go through this alone.
