What Is Postpartum Panic Disorder?
Postpartum panic disorder is a type of postpartum anxiety disorder. It is a serious mental health condition that can damage your health and limit your ability to function and care for your baby.
Postpartum panic disorder is characterized by symptoms of intense fear, worry, and anxious thoughts that cause a physical response — panic attacks.
Panic attacks may happen frequently or sporadically and be caused by different triggers. Postpartum panic disorder centers on thoughts and fears regarding the health or well-being of the baby.
This disorder can be treated through medication, individual therapy, and support groups. Many new moms go on to find themselves panic-attack-free and feeling better for many years at a time.
Postpartum Panic Disorder Symptoms
You may start to feel postpartum panic disorder symptoms within the first few days after childbirth, though you may not recognize what is happening.
The symptoms may come on suddenly or gradually worsen over the next 12 months.
The main signs and symptoms of postpartum panic disorder:
- Difficulty concentrating and remembering things
- Trouble completing tasks fully
- Being easily distracted
- Indecisiveness
- Unwanted or intrusive thoughts
- Inability to relax
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling uneasy for extended periods of time
- Overwhelming and excessive anxiety, worry, and fear
- Agitation and irritability
- Avoiding things out of fear or worry that something bad will happen
- Agoraphobia – fear of being in open and public spaces
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Panic attacks
There are three distinct and common fears that women experience with postpartum panic disorder:
- Fear of death
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of going crazy
When these fears consume your mind and debilitate you, they can trigger panic attacks to occur more frequently.
Panic Attack Symptoms
Experiencing panic attacks is one of the main symptoms of postpartum panic disorder.
These attacks come on suddenly and can last between 20 and 30 minutes, peaking after about 10 minutes and with symptoms rarely lasting longer than an hour.
But while panic attacks are short-lived, they can be terrifying and often leave a lasting impression.
Here are the symptoms of a panic attack:
- Inability to breathe or shortness of breath
- Chest pain and tightening
- Feeling like you’re being smothered or choked
- Increased heart rate and palpitations
- Excessive sweating
- Hot flashes and chills
- Shaking hands and body trembling
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the extremities
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Feeling unsteady or like you will faint
- Upset stomach and nausea
- Feeling disconnected or detached from the world
- A constant sense of danger or impending death
Everyone experiences panic attacks differently, and not all of these symptoms will be present each time. To be considered a panic attack, however, at least four of the above symptoms must be present.
Who Does Postpartum Panic Disorder Affect?
Studies reveal that between 4 and 10 percent of new mothers may develop postpartum panic disorder.
However, like all forms of postpartum depression, postpartum panic disorder may be severely underdiagnosed and underreported.
This is because many women ignore or avoid their symptoms and do not seek help or treatment.
Additionally, many women who do share their symptoms with loved ones are told that mothers are naturally nervous, not to worry, or that it is probably just the baby blues.
Remember: when panic attacks cause disruptive physiological, mental, and emotional distress, it is more than just nerves. Listen to your instincts and trust yourself when something starts to feel “off” in how you feel or behave.
Postpartum Panic Disorder Causes
There is no single specific cause of postpartum panic disorder. Instead, it is likely brought on by combinations of different risk factors and biological issues.
Potential causes of postpartum panic disorder include:
- Hormone level drops: Hormone levels increase during pregnancy and after childbirth. The female body wants to decrease these levels. This drastic drop can cause changes in moods and behaviors. If these mood changes are strong enough, they can cause emotional distress and anxiety.
- Body’s response to fear and stress: When fear and distress levels become too high, the body experiences a panic attack. If panic attacks happen frequently and impact your daily life, you may have undiagnosed postpartum panic disorder.
- Previous history of panic attacks: If you had panic attacks before you became pregnant, there is a good chance that the stress of pregnancy and motherhood may trigger them again in the postpartum period.
- Genetic predisposition: If you have family members with any panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, this can put you at an increased risk for a postpartum anxiety disorder as well.
- New mom concerns: Many new mothers worry extensively about their abilities and whether they can provide good care for their babies. If these feelings take hold, you may develop postpartum panic disorder.
Postpartum Panic Disorder Risk Factors
In addition to hormonal changes, women with the following history may be at risk of developing postpartum panic disorder:
- History of anxiety
- Previous panic disorder diagnosis
- Family history of anxiety or panic disorders
- Thyroid dysfunction
- A traumatic childbirth
- Negative experiences during childbirth
- Fatigue, sleep deprivation, and poor nutrition
- Being a first-time mother
Additionally, women who feel unsupported or who are struggling financially may also face higher anxiety levels when caring for a newborn.
Postpartum Panic Disorder vs Postpartum Depression
Postpartum panic disorder is related to postpartum depression (PPD) but is considered a type of postpartum anxiety disorder.
Other types of postpartum anxiety disorder include postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder.
Key differences between postpartum panic disorder and PPD include:
- Postpartum panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks that result in intense fear and discomfort and physical symptoms like racing heartbeat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Postpartum depression leads to extreme sadness, hopelessness, and crying frequently.
- Postpartum panic disorder causes physical symptoms, while postpartum depression causes mood changes and emotional symptoms.
- Symptoms of postpartum panic disorder can be frequent but usually only last a few minutes. Symptoms of postpartum depression are more constant and ongoing for several weeks or months.
Both of these disorders can be debilitating and harm the relationship between the mother and the new baby.
How Long Does Postpartum Panic Disorder Last?
The duration of postpartum panic disorder will depend on your history with panic disorders, the severity of your disorder, and whether you seek treatment.
With this in mind, the disorder can last several weeks, months, and even years, though treatment can help you overcome it sooner.
Your best chances of overcoming postpartum panic disorder are with therapy, medication, and a strong support network.
Diagnosing Postpartum Panic Disorder
To be diagnosed with postpartum panic disorder and begin treatment, you’ll have to speak with your physician or a mental health professional.
During your visit, you will describe your symptoms and recent feelings. You may also fill out mental health screenings in writing, during which you rate your symptoms on various scales.
To be diagnosed with postpartum panic disorder, you will need to show a history of having panic attacks after the birth of your baby.
This will help your healthcare provider rule out other possible postpartum disorders and determine the best course of treatment for you.
Postpartum Panic Disorder Outlook (Prognosis)
Postpartum panic disorders can be long-lasting, and some women may never fully recover from this disorder.
It is possible to recover with the right treatment and when the disorder is addressed early after noticing symptoms.
This is not to say that relapse isn’t possible, as you may encounter new and old triggers and other significant life challenges.
The goal is to manage the condition so you can live your life normally and without fear of having panic attacks.
Postpartum Panic Disorder Treatment
To treat postpartum panic disorder, women must first address and acknowledge their symptoms, especially the ones causing physical health issues.
Along these lines, you should become stabilized first to help calm the panic attacks before further treatment.
After stabilization and with a combination of therapy and medication, women with postpartum panic disorder can recover through short-term and long-term approaches to treatment.
Therapy
By learning to manage your condition through psychotherapy, you can understand what triggers your panic attacks and even control them.
Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are especially popular and effective for treating panic disorders.
Through CBT, you can learn to identify your triggers. The goal of CBT is to replace negative thoughts and behavior patterns with positive thoughts and behavior patterns by using healthy coping skills.
Medications
Postpartum panic disorder can also be treated by using prescription medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant.
These antidepressants can take several weeks to begin working, and you may be experiencing severe symptoms in the meantime.
In these cases, a physician or a psychiatrist may also prescribe anxiety relief medications like benzodiazepines to reduce your anxiousness almost immediately.
Find Postpartum Panic Relief with the Right Treatment
Postpartum panic disorder can leave you searching for prompt relief so you don’t fear having a panic attack in public or while caring for your newborn.
Therapy is an essential component of successful treatment for postpartum panic disorder. You can find a quality therapist in your area through our therapist directory.
In some cases, these mental health professionals can also connect you with the proper medication for your condition.
All of our therapists are carefully vetted and reviewed by our team and are compassionate about women’s health. Find your new therapist today.
Postpartum Panic Disorder FAQs
What does a postpartum panic attack feel like?
A postpartum panic attack causes severe physical symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, racing heart or heart palpitations, racing thoughts, and a sensation that you are choking or drowning.
A postpartum panic attack can also give you a sense of impending doom or a feeling that you are going to die or that your baby is going to die.
How do you deal with postpartum anxiety?
You can help manage your postpartum anxiety by prioritizing self-care, asking for help, using relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and connecting with other mothers and new parents.
If your postpartum anxiety symptoms are on the more severe side, you may also want to consider seeking professional therapy and trying medications to ease your symptoms.
What medication is used for panic disorder after birth?
The most common medication prescribed for panic disorders in the postpartum period is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are sometimes joined by benzodiazepines to take as needed.
It is important to never take any medications without talking to your doctor, especially if you are breastfeeding currently.
