Welcoming a new baby is often portrayed as a joyous time. However, many individuals experience unexpected emotional challenges during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Perinatal anxiety, occurring during pregnancy or within the first year after childbirth, is a common yet often overlooked condition.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried during this time, you’re not alone—and therapy can provide the support you need.
What Is Perinatal Anxiety?
Perinatal anxiety involves excessive worry, fear, or stress related to pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting. Unlike typical concerns, perinatal anxiety includes persistent, intrusive thoughts that are difficult to manage and may interfere with daily life. Common symptoms include:
- Racing thoughts or constant worry
- Difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is asleep
- Physical symptoms like dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or nausea
- Avoidance of certain activities or situations due to fear
- Feeling irritable, restless, or on edge
Perinatal anxiety can occur independently but often coexists with perinatal depression. High-stress parenting groups experience perinatal anxiety at a higher rate (Postpartum Support International, n.d.).
How Therapy Can Help With Perinatal Anxiety
Therapy offers a safe and supportive environment to explore your emotions, develop coping strategies, and address the root causes of anxiety. Here’s how therapy can assist:
1. Normalize Your Experience
A therapist can help you understand that perinatal anxiety is common and that you’re not alone in this experience.
2. Teach Practical Coping Strategies
Therapists trained in evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help you identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, replacing them with more balanced perspectives. They can also teach relaxation techniques like mindfulness or deep breathing to manage physical symptoms of anxiety (Postpartum Support International, n.d.).
3. Address Specific Fears
If your anxiety revolves around specific fears—such as concerns about your baby’s health, your ability to parent, or the birth process—therapy can help you work through these fears in a structured way.
4. Develop a Strong Support System
Therapy can help you identify areas where you need additional support and how to effectively communicate your needs to loved ones.
When to Seek Help
If your feelings of anxiety interfere with your ability to function, enjoy your baby, or care for yourself, it’s time to seek professional help. Perinatal anxiety is treatable, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength—not weakness.
Final Thoughts
Parenthood is a life-changing journey, but it doesn’t have to be navigated alone. If you’re experiencing perinatal anxiety, therapy can provide the tools, validation, and support you need to find relief and joy in this new chapter of your life.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, FWC offers compassionate, professional therapy services for individuals experiencing perinatal anxiety. Contact us today to learn more.
Reference
Postpartum Support International. (n.d.). Perinatal mental health: Signs, symptoms, and treatment. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.postpartum.net/perinatal-mental-health/
