Women’s Mental Health Resources

People with postpartum OCD experience 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.

The most common postpartum OCD obsessions are about germs, contamination, and harm coming to the baby, either accidentally or on purpose.

While postpartum OCD can be distressing for new parents, it is treatable with therapy, medication, and self-care.

Postpartum psychosis usually presents suddenly, with most cases identified within the first four weeks following childbirth.

Symptoms vary but some common signs include delusions, hallucinations, heightened irritability, hyperactivity, significant mood changes, poor decision making, and decreased need for sleep.

Behaviors that could signs of postpartum psychosis include:

• Being more talkative or on the phone an excessive amount
• Racing thoughts or a busy mind
• Trouble sleeping or no need to sleep
• Heightened energy or agitation
• Behaviors that appear to be out of control or out of the normal scope
• Paranoia or being suspicious of others
• Uncharacteristic fixation on religious topics
• Beliefs that the baby is possessed or connected with god or demons

During 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.

Postpartum rage 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.

Postpartum rage symptoms include:

• Difficulty controlling anger
• Violent thoughts or urges toward loved ones
• Increased screaming or swearing
• Feeling out of control of emotions
• Physical outbursts, such as punching or throwing things
• Feeling angry about small things unrelated to parenthood
• Feeling angry or resentful when having to take care of baby
• Feeling unable to “move on” after being made angry
• Extreme irritability
• Feeling powerless or helpless

This 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 baby blues 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.

Most 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.