Postpartum Panic Disorder

Postpartum panic disorder presents with a new mother showing excessive worry about her baby and her own actions. This disorder is similar to the panic or anxiety disorders that affect the conventional population, but typically revolve around the baby.

Description

• Women who have postpartum panic disorder have disabling panic attacks and overwhelming anxiety. The experience of a panic attack can make some women terrified of another attack.

Risk Factors

• Women with a personal or familial history of anxiety/panic attacks are more likely to develop the disorder.

Symptoms

• Symptoms include feeling uneasy, trouble making decisions, concentrating and remembering things, difficulty relaxing, exhaustion, having anxiety/panic attacks.

Signs of a panic attack

• Signs include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, nausea or upset stomach, fear of going crazy, dizziness, shaking and a sense of doom.

Treatment

• Treatment includes a medical and psychiatric evaluation, including a thyroid screening. Participation in group support and psychotherapy is also recommended.