Postpartum anxiety may occur alone or in conjunction with postpartum depression. In most cases, anxiety accompanies depression, and treatment will address both conditions. Most commonly, antidepressants will be recommended.
Significance
According to askdrsears.com, 10 to 15 percent of all women experience postpartum depression. Pregnancy-info.net notes that postpartum anxiety affects between 4 and 6 percent of all women who have recently had a baby.
Effects
Symptoms of postpartum anxiety may include excessive worry about the baby's welfare, and may cause new mothers to become fearful about accidentally or purposefully causing harm to their infant. Other symptoms include memory and concentration difficulties, insomnia, exhaustion, inability to relax, poor appetite, suicidal thoughts and panic attacks.
Antidepressants
Women with both depression and anxiety can be treated with antidepressants. According to the National Institutes of Health, breastfeeding moms may choose to take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as paroxetine and sertraline, or a tricyclic antidepressant called nortriptyline. Women who are not breastfeeding can use whatever medication their doctor recommends.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Women with severe anxiety may need a benzodiazepine to reduce anxiety. Medications such as lorazepam or diazepam may be prescribed temporarily.
Warning
When postpartum depression and anxiety does not respond to medication, it may become a more serious illness known as postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts and inability to function. Inpatient treatment is needed when postpartum psychosis occurs.
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