Introduction
Mothers are often worried about their newborn babies after birth. They always want to know whether their newborns are eating well, having a sufficient sleep, and hitting all their precious milestones. It is natural for mothers to become more concerned about their newborns. However, the anxiety may be out of control and has the mothers on edge most times. The mothers lack sleep all night and develop something more than new-parent jitters. Postpartum anxiety disorder involves being excessively worried about the newborn after giving birth. The over-warning labels on every new item the mothers purchase for their children trigger anxiety. The anxiety disorder is associated with racing thoughts, excess worry, and dreadful feelings. While the signs of postpartum depression are almost similar to postpartum depression’s symptoms, the two are different. Healthcare givers always distinguish between the two disorders before recommending medication and treatment options. The postpartum treatment includes cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Furthermore, severe cases of the disorder need medication as recommended by doctors. This research paper discusses the causes, treatment and medication options, consequences, and effects of postpartum anxiety disorder.
Postpartum Anxiety Disorder vs Postpartum Depression Disorder
Postpartum anxiety disorder is related to postpartum depression disorder but manifests differently. Medical doctors refer to postpartum anxiety disorder as a cousin to postpartum depression disorder. However, the two conditions are very different regarding their effects and consequences ( Layton et al., 2021). Postpartum depression disorder often causes disinterest in the newborns among mothers. Conversely, postpartum anxiety disorder is associated with extreme worry about the mothers’ newborns ( Layton et al., 2021). Postpartum anxiety disorder is the loss of an ordinary sense of balance and tranquillity, but postpartum depression is losing a mother’s heart (Briden, 2021). Unlike postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety is a “hidden disorder” since few mothers recognize it. The anxiety often goes undiagnosed, threatening mothers’ psychological development and mental health. Although the two disorders often go hand-in-hand, postpartum anxiety is a hidden disorder associated with excessive worry among mothers about their newborns. Postpartum anxiety disorder is related to various causes and symptoms.
Causes of Postpartum Anxiety Disorder
Various factors, including hormonal shifts and repeated experiences, often trigger the disorder. The substantial hormonal level shits, which involves drastic changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, start anxiety among the mothers (Bennett and Indman, 2015). After giving birth, the mother experiences sleep deprivation, change in their working schedule, among other changes to meet the newborns’ needs. Although the disorder is associated with hormonal shifts and the new roles among the mothers, various factors increase the disorder’s risk (Feingold, 2013). Personal or family anxiety history may exacerbate the condition among the affected mothers. Depression is known to have long-lasting psychological effects, and it triggers other conditions such as anxiety. Thus, previously depressed mothers are at risk of developing the disorder to extreme levels. Furthermore, eating disorders may increase the risk of developing the condition (Bennett and Indman, 2015). Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and the mothers’ personalities trigger postpartum anxiety disorder.
Traumatic experiences such as miscarriage and stillbirth significantly increase the risk of postpartum anxiety disorder. The mothers are always worried about something terrible based on their past experiences (Hijazi et al., 2021). Furthermore, postpartum OCD triggers intrusive thoughts and unprecedented compulsion among the mothers. OCD is associated with symptoms that induce postpartum anxiety disorder: repetitive obsessions and urge to perform certain rituals, fear of being alone with the baby, and the anxiety surrounding the obsessions and compulsions (Feingold, 2013). Therapists and psychologists help in treating OCD, therefore encumbering potential postpartum disorder. Like many other disorders, postpartum anxiety disorder has treatment and medication options.
Symptoms
Although the disorder is “invisible,” it is associated with various symptoms. The constant and near-constant worry among the mothers is the most typical disorder symptom. Eating and obsessive-compulsive disorders cause extreme anxiety among mothers. Dreadful feelings and increased sleep deprivation are also common among the affected mothers (Bennett and Indman, 2015). The condition is also associated with physical symptoms such as fatigue and heart palpitations. Hyperventilation, rapid and deep breathing, is also a common symptom among the affected mothers ( Feingold, 2013). Sweating, nausea, and trembling are observable in postpartum anxiety victims. The disorder is also associated with other conditions related to sleep disorders and eating disorders. Upon identifying the symptoms, the affected mothers should seek a medical officer’s advice, including various treatment and medication options.
Treatment Options
Treatment options involve detailed plans with information about the disorder and the possible curative mechanisms. The mothers who feel overwhelmed should inform their doctors in advance. Timely identification of postpartum anxiety disorder leads to immediate and expeditious treatment plans preventing potential disorder consequences. Getting a break from baby duties is a recommended treatment option since it relieves the mothers of worry and excess stress (Yahya et al., 2021). Cognitive-behavioural therapy is also a treatment option for the disorder. The therapy reduces the mother’s psychological symptoms of postnatal depression, exacerbating the condition (Huanng et al., 2018). The therapy gives the mothers the skills to change their thinking patterns when dealing with their newborns. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and mindfulness are significant disorder treatment options. The affected mothers should seek experts’ opinions on integrating the relaxation techniques in their routine activities.
Exercise gives people a feeling of relief and empowerment, therefore evading destructive thinking and worry. Intense physical activity reduces body weight and other associated conditions like atherosclerosis that trigger anxiety and stress. Aerobic exercise among the affected mothers leads to remission rates of about 60 and 40 per cent (Luo et al., 2020). Therefore, a break from baby duties, cognitive behavioural therapy, exercise, and expert relaxation help treat postpartum anxiety disorder. The condition is associated with various symptoms that may be fatal.
Medication Options
Therapists and doctors often recommend treatment options for severe postpartum anxiety disorder. However, the medication use varies according to a case-by-case basis. The use of antidepressants is sometimes recommended depending on the mother’s ability to bond and take care of her child. Furthermore, anti-anxiety drugs, benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam, among others, are always recommended. However, the medication should be taken strictly according to the doctor’s instructions. Taking medicines as prescribed helps avoid prescription errors and the associated side effects. The medication options offer instant relief, but the victims should incorporate treatment options in the medication plan. The treatment options provide a healthy and permanent solution to the disorder, while the medication options are susceptible to addiction.
Consequences and Effects on Mother-Child Relationship
The disorder is associated with adverse consequences that affect the child’s and the mother’s conditions. Chronic anxiety related to postpartum anxiety disorder affects the quality of the mothers’ life. Long-term strain induces the brain to release stress hormones regularly (Izvolskaia et al., 2018). The large amounts of stress hormones cause headache, dizziness, and increased depression. Furthermore, anxiety is associated with excess release of hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Long term exposure to the hormone cortisol leads to increased body weight, causing other conditions such as hypertension (Izvolskaia et al., 2018). Hypertension leads to risks such as heart failure, aneurysm, dementia, heart attack, and stroke. Although the consequences of the disorder are common in mothers, the children suffer due to a lack of sufficient mother care.
The bond between the mother and the child is vital for the healthy growth and development of the child. However, the surge in health conditions associated with postpartum anxiety disorder deteriorates the mother-child relationship. Affected mothers will have less time to interact with their children. Furthermore, the affected mothers may be warned against breastfeeding or participating in activities that are essential for the child’s well being. OCD involves compulsion, an urge to perform rituals that the child may dislike and hate the mother. The bond between the mothers and the children is greatly affected. The children may develop child attachment disorder since they do not receive normal love and care from their mothers. The children may carry the condition to adulthood and disrupt their adult social life. The disorder may also be associated with depression that may psychologically affect the child. The consequences of postpartum anxiety disorder are dire to mothers and children. Thus the caregivers should prevent the condition at the initial stages.
Conclusion
Postpartum anxiety disorder involves extreme anxiety among mothers due to hormonal shifts, family anxiety history, and traumatic experiences. The condition is distinguished from postpartum depression disorder, which causes disinterest in children among the mothers. Postpartum anxiety has extreme worry, shaking, sweating, and nausea, among others. Treatment options such as exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy are available for the disorder. Medication options available for the condition include anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs. If the condition goes untreated, it may lead to adverse health conditions affecting the mother and the child. Treating postpartum anxiety disorder is vital in enhancing a mother’s love and care of her child.
References
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Briden, L. (2021). Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman’s Guide to Healthy Hormones After 40. Lara Briden.
Feingold, S. (2013). Happy Endings, New Beginnings: Navigating Postpartum Disorders. New Horizon Press, Far Hills, NJ
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