New motherhood can be accompanied by a hefty dose of anxiety, sadness, irritability and fatigue, and it's important not to suffer in silence.
Many moms—about 70 to 80 percent, according to the American Pregnancy Association—experience the “baby blues,” which involves anxiety, sadness, irritability and fatigue in the first few weeks after giving birth. The more persistent and intrusive symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety are less common (but more serious). These disorders often go undetected and untreated, leaving many mamas struggling in silence.
Although postpartum mental health is getting more attention these days, it’s still steeped in stigma. Moms may joke about their new lives without showers and with copious amounts of coffee, but many struggle to talk about the complicated, messy feelings that accompany new motherhood. “I think it’s really important for new moms to have these emotions normalized, and to be told that what you’re seeing on Instagram is not the way things are,” Sures says.
Reaching out to a therapist, BFF or online support group is a great first step. The emotions you’re feeling need an outlet, says Sures. “Suppressing negative emotions is actually what makes people more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. It’s really important to explore the entire range of feelings—about the baby, motherhood, marriage and everything else.”
Source: https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/postpartum-care/baby-blues-why-cant-i-stop-crying/
