Affordable postpartum anxiety treatment online.

Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is when a parent experiences extreme feelings of anxiety and worry after the birth or adoption of a child. The feelings can interfere with life and cause stress. It is estimated that postpartum anxiety affects between 11% and 21% of people designated female at birth.¹

The signs of postpartum anxiety can present themselves physically, emotionally or behaviorally.²

Physical symptoms of postpartum anxiety include:

• Disrupted sleep.

• Increased heart rate or heart palpitations.

• Nausea or stomachaches.

• Being unable to breathe or feeling short of breath.

• Loss of appetite.

• Restlessness.

• Muscle tension.

Emotional symptoms of postpartum anxiety include:

• Inability to relax or keep calm.

• Racing thoughts, especially about worse-case scenarios.

• Obsessing over irrational fears or things that are unlikely to happen.

• Difficulty focusing or forgetfulness.

• Irritability.

• Feeling on edge or fearful.

Behavioral symptoms of postpartum anxiety include:

• Avoiding certain activities, people or places.

• Being overly cautious about situations that aren't dangerous.

• Checking things over and over again.

• Being controlling.

Postpartum anxiety is defined by the symptoms occurring within the first 12 months after birth or adoption. However, each individual is different and there are no clear guidelines for how long PPA will last. It generally does not go away on its own, so it’s important to seek treatment.³

There is no definitive point when postpartum anxiety starts, as it depends on the individual. For some it may begin right at birth and for others it may take several days, weeks or months to start.⁴

Yes, providers will use questions or assessments as a screening for postpartum anxiety. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), a commonly used screening assessment for postpartum depression, has an anxiety subscale portion. The EPDS can be helpful in determining if a person has postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety.⁵

Postpartum separation anxiety describes the severe worry and concern a parent, generally the mother, experiences during short-term separation from their child.⁶

There is no definitive time that postpartum anxiety will just go away. PPA usually requires treatment to go away, like therapy, lifestyle changes or medication.⁷

The symptoms of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety have some differences. The main symptoms of postpartum depression are feelings of sadness and worthlessness. Postpartum anxiety is classified by feelings of extreme worry, rather than sadness.

Many symptoms overlap between postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, including disrupted sleep and feeling afraid. It is possible to experience both postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety at the same time.⁸

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The best thing you can do for postpartum anxiety is to seek professional help. A licensed provider can help you identify the best treatment options for you.¹

There are multiple treatments available for postpartum anxiety and often a combination is the most effective.²

Therapy for Postpartum Anxiety

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy (talk therapy) can help you understand your feelings and move through them. Your provider can also give you tools to better manage your stress and anxiety.

Nonmedication Treatments for Postpartum Anxiety

1. Support groups.

2. Asking for help from friends and family.

3. Exercise, especially outside of the house.

4. Healthy diet.

5. Postpartum anxiety relaxation techniques like meditation and mindfulness.

Medication Treatments for Postpartum Anxiety

Many people with PPA utilize medication as either the main treatment or in conjunction with another nonmedication treatment. Common medication treatments for postpartum anxiety include:³

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – Citalopram (Celexa®) and Paroxetine (Paxil®).

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – Duloxetine (Cymbalta®) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR®).

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) – nortriptyline (Pamelor®) and imipramine (Tofranil®).

You can get postpartum anxiety medication from a licensed medical provider or doctor. You can visit in-person or you can get medication online for postpartum anxiety with a telehealth provider like RedBox Rx. Start an online consult to see if medication is right for you.

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