PMADs and the Mental Load of Motherhood: What No One Prepares You For

Dec 10

You’re checking off the to-do list. The baby’s fed. The house is (sort of) clean. You’re getting things done—but inside, you’re unraveling.

Sound familiar? This mental overload isn’t just “new mom stress.” For many, it’s the invisible weight of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

1. The Mental Load: It’s Not in Your Head

From remembering pediatric appointments to managing everyone’s emotional needs, the mental load of motherhood is relentless. And for moms experiencing PMADs, it can become crushing.

You replay every decision.
You can’t shut off your brain at night.
You feel responsible for everything and guilty for not doing more.

These aren’t quirks of modern motherhood. They’re often symptoms of something deeper.

2. When the Mental Load Becomes Anxiety

Postpartum anxiety doesn’t always look like panic. Sometimes it’s:

Constantly double-checking
Getting irritable with your partner
Having a tight chest or stomach ache with no clear cause
Feeling like your brain is always “on”

And no, you don’t need to hit rock bottom to deserve help. Even “high-functioning” anxiety deserves attention.

3. PMADs and the Shame Spiral

Many moms feel like if they’re not enjoying every minute, they’re failing.

But here’s the truth: PMADs don’t mean you don’t love your child. They don’t mean you’re not grateful. They just mean your nervous system is overloaded and asking for care.

4. You Deserve Support That’s Actually Supportive

Forget one-size-fits-all advice like “just sleep when the baby sleeps.”nReal support means:

Space to name how hard it really is
Tools that meet you where you’re at
Validation, not judgment
A therapist who actually gets it

That’s what we offer. You don’t have to carry this all alone. You’re allowed to feel tired, scared, and unsure. And you’re allowed to want more than just surviving.

How I Can Help

If the mental load is starting to feel like too much, or you’ve been wondering if you’re just “not cut out” for motherhood, please know it doesn’t have to stay this way.

Let’s talk. Book your free 20-minute consultation here.

Anne Bomstad Miller