Women’s Mental Health Resources

People with u003ca href=u0022https://www.choosingtherapy.com/postpartum-ocd/u0022u003epostpartum OCD u003c/au003eexperience obsessive, intrusive thoughts that are difficult to control and often scary and upsetting. They engage in compulsive behaviors to help relieve the anxiety caused by the obsessions.rnrnThe most common postpartum OCD obsessions are about germs, contamination, and harm coming to the baby, either accidentally or on purpose.rnrnWhile postpartum OCD can be distressing for new parents, it is treatable with therapy, medication, and self-care.

u003ca href=u0022https://www.choosingtherapy.com/postpartum-psychosis/u0022u003ePostpartum psychosisu003c/au003e usually presents suddenly, with most cases identified within the first four weeks following childbirth.rnrnSymptoms vary but some common signs include delusions, hallucinations, heightened irritability, hyperactivity, significant mood changes, poor decision making, and decreased need for sleep.rnrnBehaviors that could signs of postpartum psychosis include:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eBeing more talkative or on the phone an excessive amountu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.choosingtherapy.com/racing-thoughts/u0022u003eRacing thoughtsu003c/au003e or a busy mindu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eTrouble sleeping or no need to sleepu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHeightened energy or agitationu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eBehaviors that appear to be out of control or out of the normal scopeu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eParanoia or being suspicious of othersu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eUncharacteristic fixation on religious topicsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eBeliefs that the baby is possessed or connected with god or demonsu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernDuring a psychotic episode, the person fully believes their reality and does not have the same self-awareness that they normally would. Postpartum psychosis can be frightening but help is available and recovery is possible.

u003ca href=u0022https://www.choosingtherapy.com/postpartum-rage/u0022u003ePostpartum rageu003c/au003e refers to parental irritability, irritation, and sometimes aggression after giving birth. Many parents report increased overwhelming, unmanageable angry outbursts or distressing thoughts, which can negatively impact meaningful relationships.rnrnPostpartum rage symptoms include:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eDifficulty controlling angeru003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eViolent thoughts or urges toward loved onesu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eIncreased screaming or swearingu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling out of control of emotionsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePhysical outbursts, such as punching or throwing thingsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling angry about small things unrelated to parenthoodu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling angry or resentful when having to take care of babyu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling unable to “move on” after being made angryu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eExtreme irritabilityu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeeling powerless or helplessu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernThis can be distressing for both the person experiencing the anger and those in their support network. Fortunately, help from a professional mental health expert can help you understand and work through postpartum rage in healthy ways.

The u003ca href=u0022https://www.choosingtherapy.com/baby-blues/u0022u003ebaby bluesu003c/au003e are a mild form of depression and anxiety that can occur early in the postpartum period, typically within the first 10 days. In fact, around 50 to 80% of women experience the baby blues in the first few weeks after giving birth.rnrnMost women recover from the baby blues fairly quickly and do not require professional treatment. However, a portion of women may go on to develop a more severe perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD). Women who do not recover quickly from the baby blues should speak with a mental health professional about treatment options including self-care, talk therapy, and medication.