Postnatal Depression and Anxiety: Signs and Support
Postnatal depression and anxiety are common, treatable conditions that can develop any time in the first year after birth, and depression and anxiety can also begin during pregnancy. According to Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA), around 15 to 22% of women experience depression during pregnancy or after birth, up to 1 in 5 experience anxiety, and up to 1 in 10 expecting or new fathers experience depression or anxiety. Unlike the baby blues, which pass within a couple of weeks, perinatal depression and anxiety persist and need support.
Baby blues vs postnatal depression
When it starts — Baby blues: Usually within the first few days after birth; Postnatal depression and anxiety: Any time in pregnancy or the first year after birth
How long it lasts — Baby blues: Typically resolves within about two weeks; Postnatal depression and anxiety: Persists for weeks or months without support
What it feels like — Baby blues: Teary, emotional, irritable, overwhelmed, with good moments in between; Postnatal depression and anxiety: Persistent low mood, anxiety or numbness that affects daily functioning
What helps — Baby blues: Rest, reassurance, practical support; Postnatal depression and anxiety: Professional support, often therapy, sometimes medication
The baby blues are linked to the rapid hormonal changes after birth combined with exhaustion. If symptoms last beyond two weeks or feel severe, talk to your GP, midwife or child health nurse.
Signs of postnatal depression
persistent low mood, sadness or emptiness
feeling disconnected from your baby, partner or yourself
loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
feeling like a bad parent or a failure
crying often, or feeling unable to cry
withdrawing from friends and family
changes in appetite unrelated to feeding
being unable to sleep even when the baby sleeps
thoughts of harming yourself, or that your family would be better off without you
Signs of postnatal anxiety
Anxiety is at least as common as depression in the perinatal period and is often missed because some worry is expected in new parents.
constant worry about the baby's health, safety or development
racing thoughts, feeling on edge or unable to relax
physical symptoms such as a racing heart, tension or panic attacks
checking on the baby excessively, or avoiding being alone with them
intrusive, unwanted thoughts or images of harm coming to the baby
About intrusive thoughts: many new parents experience sudden, distressing thoughts of something terrible happening to their baby, sometimes including thoughts of causing harm. These thoughts are common in perinatal anxiety and OCD, and they're distressing precisely because they go against everything the parent wants. Having them doesn't mean you'll act on them. They're worth talking about with a professional, who will have heard them many times before.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can experience perinatal depression or anxiety. Factors that increase risk include:
a personal or family history of anxiety or depression
a difficult pregnancy, birth trauma or a baby needing special care
lack of support, relationship difficulties or isolation
sleep deprivation
stressful life events around the time of birth
feeding difficulties
past trauma
perfectionism or high expectations of parenting
Partners can be affected too
Up to 1 in 10 new fathers experience perinatal depression or anxiety, and non-birthing mothers can be affected as well. In partners it may show up as irritability, working longer hours, withdrawing, or increased drinking. Partners' mental health also matters for the whole family.
Postpartum psychosis: an emergency
Postpartum psychosis is rare, affecting around 1 to 2 in every 1,000 women who give birth, but it's serious. Signs include confusion, hallucinations, paranoid or strange beliefs, extreme mood swings and not sleeping for days. It usually begins within the first few weeks after birth. If you notice these signs in yourself or someone else, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Treatment options
Perinatal depression and anxiety respond well to treatment.
Psychological therapy: CBT, ACT and interpersonal approaches help with low mood, anxious thinking, intrusive thoughts and adjusting to the huge identity shift of parenthood.
Practical support: sleep protection, shared night feeds, help with household tasks.
Medication: some antidepressants can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is a conversation to have with your GP, obstetrician or psychiatrist.
Peer and group support: connecting with other parents can reduce isolation.
Perinatal support at Satya Psychology
Perinatal and motherhood support is one of our core areas. Our founder, Mirinda Smith, is a psychologist and a mum of twins, and works with postpartum depression, anxiety and the overwhelm of early parenthood. Provisional psychologist Maddison Weinert also has a particular interest in women's mental health and the perinatal period.
We know getting to appointments with a baby is hard. That's why we offer:
Telehealth, so you can attend from home, including with your baby nearby
Walk and Talk therapy on the Gold Coast, where getting outside with the pram can be part of the session
In-person sessions at The Lavarack Rooms in Nobby Beach
You can claim Medicare rebates with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. See our services page for fees, and read our earlier article on supporting your mental health during pregnancy and postpartum.
Where to get help now
PANDA National Helpline: 1300 726 306 (Monday to Friday 9am to 7:30pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm AEST)
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)
000 in an emergency
When you're ready, book a session or read our guide to depression treatment.
This article is general information and isn't a substitute for professional advice. Please talk to your GP, midwife or child health nurse about any concerns.