The Difference Between Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Hi unique learners,
in this talk I discuss the difference betweem Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA). Plus, I share about my own experience with PPA. At the end of the talk, I provide general tips.
**Track might include background noise as it was recorded live**

Picture is of my beautiful son who I love very much!

Transcript

Hello and welcome to this talk,

Understanding the difference between postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.

My name is Yvette.

I'm a meditation teacher here on Insight Timer and I'm also a researcher,

But I have to be honest,

This is not the field I'm active in.

I just want to share the difference between the postpartum depression and anxiety,

Because I suffered from postpartum anxiety.

And recently I've been listening to a lot of podcasts and I know that many people who can relate,

They find these talks very helpful and hopefully with this talk,

I can not only bring more information,

But I can also help people who are listening.

Because I'm not only going to discuss the difference between the two,

I'm also going to discuss a couple of general things you can do about it.

Now,

Bringing a baby into the world is somehow seen as this transformative experience filled with joy,

Excitement and love.

However,

It can also bring significant emotional and psychological changes that may challenge you.

And I want to talk about two common conditions that new parents face.

Postpartum depression,

PPD,

And postpartum anxiety,

PPA.

And understanding the difference between these two and knowing how to seek help can make a significant impact on the well-being of new mothers and families.

So what is postpartum depression?

This is a mood disorder that affects many new mothers.

It typically develops within the first few weeks after giving childbirth,

But it can emerge anything within the first year.

Unlike the quote-unquote baby blues,

Which involve mild mood swings,

Those go over within a couple of days,

PPD is more intense and persistent.

And common symptoms may include this constant feeling of sadness,

Hopelessness or emptiness,

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed,

Intense fatigue or lack of energy,

Difficulty bonding with the baby,

Changes in appetite and sleep patterns,

Feelings of guilt,

Wordlessness or failure as a mother,

And thoughts of harming oneself or even the baby in severe cases.

Postpartum depression is a serious condition and it requires medical attention.

Left untreated,

It can affect both the mother's well-being and the child's development.

And what is postpartum anxiety?

While PPD is very known,

It's widely recognized these days,

Postpartum anxiety is less discussed,

But just as impactful.

BPA involves excessive worrying,

Fear or nervousness that interferes with daily life.

New mothers experiencing postpartum anxiety may feel constantly on edge or overwhelmed by fears regarding their baby's safety and health.

Common symptoms of postpartum anxiety are excessive worrying that are difficult to control,

Racing thoughts,

Difficulty concentrating or restlessness,

Physical symptoms such as dizziness,

Nausea or rapid heartbeat,

Constant checking on the baby or obsessive thoughts about harm,

Difficulty sleeping even when the baby is asleep,

And feeling a sense of dread or impeding doom.

So postpartum anxiety can coexist with postpartum depression,

Making it even more challenging to manage.

And unlike postpartum depression where sadness is a dominant feature,

Anxiety manifests as an overwhelming sense of fear and worry.

So to give you an example,

I had BPA with a combination of PPD and I was always worried that my son would suffocate in his blanket.

So I wouldn't sleep,

I would check on him and even when he was asleep and we had safety guidelines regarding sleep,

I would just constantly check if he was still breathing.

I had constant visions that when,

For example,

We would be walking next to water,

That he would fall into the water and drown.

So I was always on edge.

I didn't sleep and I couldn't sit still.

I always needed to check him.

My iron was very low and my heart was always beating so fast that at some point during the first few weeks I said to my partner,

I'm going to leave.

You and the baby are better off without me.

Now just saying this makes me very sad,

But I honestly thought it would be better for my family to leave.

Now luckily I recognized that these aren't the baby blues and I went to a doctor and I asked for help and luckily I was taken very seriously.

Also the midwives,

Where I had a checkup six weeks later after giving birth,

They were like,

Yeah,

This isn't good.

They luckily detected it very early and I have to say,

Because I have previous experience with therapy,

It was easier for me to ask for help.

So if you recognize what I'm sharing,

Please,

Please,

Please ask for help because it will get better.

It can get better if you ask for help,

But you just have to take that first step.

So what can you do about it?

Well,

The good news is that it is treatable.

If you,

Or even if you know someone who is struggling,

Let them know and I will give you a couple of steps.

So first one is,

Of course,

Ask for help.

Seek professional help.

This could be your GP,

Your doctor or find a therapist,

A midwife who is professionally trained to also be a woman's coach regarding postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression and those who are professionally trained into trauma therapy.

And then,

Build a support system.

Lean on your partner,

Family and friends.

Talking to other mothers who have experienced similar challenges can be comforting and validating.

Now,

I've done this a lot and although not everyone might understand your experience,

It might be good to just talk about it.

And it's interesting that once you tell a negative birth experience,

There are more moms who have had similar or also experiences they thought would be better.

And it sounds so easy,

But it is very difficult,

Especially if you're a new mom.

Practice self-care,

So prioritize rest,

Nutrition and gentle physical activity when possible.

Taking short breaks and engaging in enjoyable activities can help relieve stress.

Now,

I wasn't sleeping and of course I had a baby who was waking up every three hours,

But I knew I needed to lay down during the day and I really had to be strict with myself if I wanted to heal.

Another tip is mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

So I did deep breathing meditations,

I did gentle yoga when I got the clear that I could exercise again and sometimes also just writing.

I wrote down my birth,

I wrote down everything that happened those couple of weeks after giving birth and joined a support group.

I joined a group of moms who had all postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety and connecting with others can really reduce this feeling of isolation and it was just wonderful to talk with people who understand.

You can do this online or face-to-face,

So I went to this group and we were allowed to take our babies and we even had professionals.

We had,

For example,

A therapist there and someone working in daycare and they would also look at the connection I had as a mom with my child and interestingly,

They saw a great connection,

But I just didn't feel it.

And the final tip is time.

It took me a couple of months and I've worked hard on it,

But it did get better.

So in conclusion,

Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are both common yet treatable and they shouldn't be ignored.

Recognizing the symptoms and seeking help early can lead to a healthier and happier motherhood experience.

If you or someone you know is struggling,

Remember you are not alone.

Support is available and prioritizing mental health is essential,

Not just for mothers,

But for their babies and families as well.

Thank you for listening.