Postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis: Signs, symptoms and when to get help (part 2)

Lexi Johnson
Apr 9
7 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Postpartum mental health, part 2 (read part 1 here | download part 2 summary booklet)

When it gets worse…

In part 1 of our series on postpartum mental health, we addressed some of the common struggles faced by new moms.

We said that even though motherhood is an exciting and fulfilling experience, it can also be overwhelming and frustrating.

Many new moms experience feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. It’s important to give yourself kindness and grace as you adjust to this new lifestyle and the changes that come with it.

In some cases, surrounding yourself with a support group of friends and family is enough. In other cases, talking with a therapist can be beneficial to process the rush of new feelings and major life changes.

And in cases involving a mental health crisis, immediate intervention is needed.

For immediate support: If you are in crisis, please call your local emergency number or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773 is available from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Central Time for non-emergency support.

In part 2 of this series, we take a closer look at three serious mental health challenges that can afflict mothers shortly after giving birth:

Postpartum depression
Postpartum anxiety
Postpartum psychosis

Being aware of the signs and symptoms can be hugely important for moms as well as their friends and family members.

“Baby blues” and postpartum depression (PPD)

Symptoms of depression following childbirth are sometimes known as “baby blues,” and typically last a few days to a couple of weeks after the baby is born. (Mayo Clinic)

But in some cases, it starts to get worse…

A woman holds her hands to her face in the shower, black and white picture.

The symptoms are more intense and last longer.

New moms may start to feel incompetent, like they can never get it right.

Or they just feel empty…

numb…

and alone.

And they’re seemingly surrounded by other smiling mothers who say things like “it’s the best thing that ever happened to me” and “it will get better with time.”

Intrusive thoughts and self-deprecating narratives can start to take hold and create a self-reinforcing downward spiral.

Why does everyone seem to have it all together except for me?

When it feels like it isn’t getting better, it can be hard to know when to just “power through” and when to ask for help — especially when “powering through” gets harder every day.

How do you know when to get help for postpartum depression?

As we highlighted in part 1, new moms who experience uncertainty and worry are not alone. And even severe symptoms may be more common than you think.

According to Postpartum Support International (PSI), 1 in 7 new moms suffers from postpartum depression.

Reaching out for help is NOT a sign of failure as a parent. It may be one of the bravest and most important decisions you ever make.

Mindfulness becomes very important when you run the risk of negative thought patterns, depression and anxiety. A basic awareness of your state of mind can be a lifesaver when you need to call for help.

Getting in the habit of regular emotional health check-ins early on in your motherhood journey can help prepare your early warning system for PPD. Talking with a trusted friend who knows you well can also be like holding up a mirror to your emotional state.

Given the likelihood that you or someone you know will experience postpartum mental health issues, it’s important to know what this looks like and feels like.

Common signs and symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD)

Are you:

Feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you should have become a mother in the first place?
Feeling like you can never get it right?
Feeling as if you’re not “bonded” with your baby or feeling like your baby doesn’t like you?
Having racing thoughts and you can’t quiet your mind?
Feeling empty and numb as if you’re just going through the motions?
Lacking focus and concentration?
Afraid that if you ask for help, others will judge your parenting?
Having thoughts of running away or leaving your baby behind?
Constantly in a state of worry?
Unsure of who you are and missing your former self?

If you said yes to one or more of these, consider reaching out to a mental health professional — especially if the symptoms…

last longer than two weeks,
feel like they are getting worse, or
make it hard to complete everyday tasks.

Many mothers feel ashamed or they may fear judgement when seeking help during this time.

But reaching out for help is NOT a sign of failure as a parent! It may be one of the bravest and most important decisions you ever make.

Asking for help when you need it is the best way to take care of your child and yourself as you navigate the complicated journey of motherhood — one that no one really prepares you for.

Postpartum anxiety

Maybe you read the symptoms above and found yourself saying, “this isn’t me. I’m not depressed.” But you still don’t feel like yourself.

Some mothers experience severe anxiety after childbirth, known as postpartum anxiety. It can occur on its own or alongside PPD.

Studies show that 1 in 5 women experience postpartum anxiety following childbirth (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

Common signs and symptoms of postpartum anxiety

Are you experiencing:

Constant anxiety
Panic attacks
Inability to relax/calm down
Difficulty focusing
Obsessing over irrational fears and worst-case scenarios
Feeling on edge and irritable
Shortness of breath
Nausea or stomach aches
Restlessness
Disrupted sleep
Loss of appetite

These symptoms may manifest themselves in a mom’s behavior if she:

avoids certain places, people, or activities (often due to fear that something will harm her baby)
is overly cautious when there’s no danger
checks things repeatedly and obsessively (like whether non-child-safe objects are put away)

Just like with PPD, if you experience any of the above symptoms it may help to see a therapist or other mental health professional. It’s important to get help before your anxiety intensifies and becomes harder to control.

A therapist, especially one with training in perinatal mental health, can help you process the intense thoughts and feelings, practice calming exercises, and overcome negative thought patterns to help you continue to function.

The narratives that cycle through our brains are so powerful. And when you’re feeling worn out and “depleted,” as many mothers of young children are, it can be hard to check these narratives against reality, making it easier for negative self-talk to spiral into harmful beliefs about yourself.

That’s where having the support of a trained mental health expert can give you an advantage.

Postpartum psychosis

Very rarely, a more severe condition develops within about the first week of delivery: postpartum psychosis (1-2 in every 1,000 women experience this).

This includes symptoms such as feeling confused and lost, hallucinations and delusions, paranoia, and, in some cases, thoughts of self harm.

As it may lead to life-threatening thoughts or behaviors, it is important that moms experiencing these symptoms get help immediately.

Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you are in a mental health crisis (see below for more immediate support details).

This condition is much more rare than postpartum depression and anxiety and requires immediate intervention.

Helping you feel like you

Ultimately, motherhood is a complicated, overwhelming rush of new emotions, responsibilities, and lifestyle changes.

If you find yourself struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional.

Many therapists offer in-person sessions with the option for HIPPA-compliant virtual sessions for days when it’s just too difficult to make it in to the therapist’s office.

Having a safe space to process their thoughts and emotions helps many mothers adapt to the changes and get back to feeling more like themselves so they can enjoy the precious moments with their babies.

If you want to learn more about therapy for new mothers, partners and family members, please contact us.

Conclusion

We started this two-part series with the question “You’re taking care of baby, who’s taking care of you?”

Hopefully you have support in the form of family and friends who are eager to help out, but are unsure of how. Remember that they probably need you to ask them for help and to be specific about your needs.

And you know that self-care, whatever form it may take right now, is NOT selfish. As mentioned in part 1, it’s a bit like checking that your oxygen mask is still in place so you don’t run out of air while helping your child.

Hopefully you remember the importance of mindfulness and regular emotional health check-ins for monitoring your state of mind as an early warning system for postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Talking with a trusted friend who knows you well can also be like a mirror to keep tabs on your mental wellbeing.

And you know that reaching out for help is not a sign of failure; it may be one of the bravest and most caring things you ever do.

And if you’re struggling, reach out to a therapist for help processing these major life changes, controlling negative thought patterns, calming your anxiety, and challenging persistent and inaccurate self-narratives.

Therapy is a proven, all-natural treatment for mental and emotional challenges like postpartum depression and anxiety.

Finally, if you suspect postpartum psychosis or are in any kind of mental health crisis, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Remember:

You are not alone.

You will be well.

Help is always available.

For immediate support:

People in crisis should immediately call their local emergency number or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Postpartum Support International offers a HelpLine which can be reached at 1-800-944-4773 from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Central Time. (Note: The PSI HelpLine does not handle emergencies.)