It's Not Just The Blues: Navigating Postpartum Anxiety, Rage, & The Perinatal Trauma Umbrella
The "Baby Blues" are real, but they are also temporary—usually wrapping up within those first two weeks postpartum. If you are months into parenthood and still experiencing white-hot rage, terrifying intrusive thoughts, or physical panic that makes your heart race, I want you to hear me clearly: This is something more. It isn't a personal failure, and it isn't just "part of being a mom."
Understanding the PMAD Umbrella
In my practice, I look at maternal mental health through the lens of the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) umbrella. While most people have heard of Postpartum Depression (PPD), the umbrella is much wider. It covers everything from anxiety to OCD and PTSD. Understanding where you fall under this umbrella is the first step toward finding your badass balance again.
When Anxiety Becomes Rage
We often talk about the sadness of PPD, but we don't talk enough about Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) or Postpartum Rage.
PPA vs. PPD: While depression feels like a "low," anxiety feels like a constant "high" state of alert.
The Signs: For many of the women I work with, this shows up as racing thoughts ("What if the baby stops breathing?"), an inability to sleep even when the baby is sleeping, or a physical "on edge" feeling.
Rage: This is the symptom no one wants to admit to. It’s that explosive, overwhelming anger that feels like it comes out of nowhere. If you feel like you're constantly on the verge of snapping, please know that this is often a survival response to an overloaded nervous system.
The Role of Birth Trauma
I am a firm believer that even "easy" births on paper can be traumatic in the body. If your birth experience left you feeling powerless, unheard, or terrified, that stays with you. This Perinatal Trauma can sit in your nervous system, manifesting as flashbacks or a deep sense of disconnect from your journey as a parent.
Why Specialized Therapy Works
When you are dealing with trauma and intense anxiety, general talk therapy sometimes isn't enough to reach the root. That is why I specialize in trauma-focused EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). We don't just talk about the trauma; we work to desensitize the "charge" it has on your brain and body, allowing you to actually process the experience rather than just managing the symptoms.
There is Hope
You were never meant to carry this heavy load alone. Whether you are struggling with Postpartum Anxiety symptoms or the weight of an untold birth story, there is a path back to yourself. You deserve to thrive, not just survive.
You don't have to carry this heavy load alone. Our specialty is Perinatal Trauma. Connect today to start your healing process.