“I Wasn’t Depressed, But I Wasn’t Okay”: Understanding Postpartum Anxiety
What If It’s Not Postpartum Depression—But You’re Still Not Okay?
You love your baby. You’re getting out of bed. You’re going through the motions. But deep down, something still feels off.
Maybe no one ever mentioned postpartum anxiety to you. Maybe, like me, you filled out the postpartum depression screener at your doctor’s office, circled all the “normal” answers, and told yourself you were fine—because you weren’t sad. You weren’t crying all the time. You weren’t numb.
What were you? Constantly on edge. Tense. Racing thoughts. Unable to relax. Emotionally stretched thin by 10 a.m.
This is what postpartum anxiety can feel like—and it’s more common than you think.
What Is Postpartum Anxiety? (And Why Most People Miss It)
When we talk about postpartum mental health, most people immediately think of postpartum depression. But that’s only one part of a broader set of experiences known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).
Postpartum anxiety is one of the most overlooked PMADs. It can show up as:
Persistent worry that something bad will happen
Trouble sleeping—even when the baby is asleep
Feeling like your body is always “on alert”
Muscle tension, headaches, and stomach knots
Irritability or racing thoughts you can’t turn off
Intrusive thoughts that leave you shaken or ashamed
For me, the anxiety didn’t look like panic attacks. It looked like staying home for five straight weeks because going outside felt like too much. It looked like scanning the room constantly, tense and braced for something to go wrong.
Why It’s So Easy to Miss the Signs
Many new moms don’t realize they’re struggling with postpartum anxiety because they’re functioning. They’re feeding the baby, changing the diapers, and responding to texts.
And when they’re asked if they’re “feeling down” or “losing interest in things,” they say no—because that’s not it.
Here’s the truth: You can love your baby and still feel overwhelmed, hyper-alert, and afraid. You can look like you’re holding it together and still be struggling underneath.
And just because something is “common” doesn’t mean it’s not worth addressing.
You Are Not Alone—And You Deserve Support
If any of this feels familiar, I want you to know: It’s not your fault. You’re not broken. And you don’t have to wait until things get worse to get help.
Therapy can help you name what’s going on, understand what’s underneath the anxiety, and learn how to feel more like yourself again. You deserve more than just “coping.” You deserve to feel supported, seen, and safe in your own body and mind.
How I Support Anxious Moms
I’m Anne—a licensed social worker and therapist specializing in postpartum and perinatal mental health. I work with overwhelmed moms navigating anxiety, identity shifts, and the invisible mental load of early motherhood.
My approach is direct and collaborative—we talk through the process together, so you always know where we’re headed. Whether we work together for a few months or longer, my goal is to leave you with lifelong tools for navigating motherhood and your mental health.
Curious About Therapy? Let’s Talk.
If you’ve been wondering whether your postpartum experience has to feel this hard, let’s talk. I offer a free 20-minute consultation to help you explore whether therapy might be a good fit—no pressure, no commitment.
You don’t have to keep carrying this alone. And it’s never too late to feel better.
🗓️ Book here
