Anxiety: Essays, Guides and Expert-Content
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anxiety

family photo at a farmers market - anxiety and the need for control in motherhood

Jamie on anxiety and the need for control after losing her parents

After my son was born, all I wanted was sleep. But I was scared of closing my eyes for fear of something happening to him during that time. I couldn’t shut my mind off from all the irrational thoughts running through it.

mom with postpartum depression

Rebecca on wanting to die and asking to be hospitalized for treatment

After my son was born, all I wanted was sleep. But I was scared of closing my eyes for fear of something happening to him during that time. I couldn’t shut my mind off from all the irrational thoughts running through it.

pregnant woman hiding depression

Liz on hiding her prenatal depression and anxiety from friends

After my son was born, all I wanted was sleep. But I was scared of closing my eyes for fear of something happening to him during that time. I couldn’t shut my mind off from all the irrational thoughts running through it.

I finally got help for my postpartum anxiety—and you can, too

If I could tell you anything about struggling with this, it is this: PPA is real, it is not normal, and getting help is okay. Do not feel ashamed, do not feel embarrassed, and don't for one second think you owe anyone an explanation.

True life: My family’s clutter makes me anxious

I was seriously stressed in my own home.

Motherhood is: Wondering if I chose the right daycare

I walked out the door after dropping her off and immediately burst into tears.

woman holding baby thinking of traumatic birth

Leah K on her traumatic birth and the darkness of postpartum depression

"I took on the identity of a strong person, who, despite having had an unstable childhood, was well-adjusted and thriving. I knew everyone had their own painful experiences and dysfunctional families. I wasn’t going to drown myself in mine."

Going to therapy saved my motherhood

I was treading water with my head above the surface because typically it's fine as long as it's fine... until one day it's not.

The antidote to my parenting anxiety

You'd gotten the best of me again, stealing time I should have spent doing anything other than obsessing over the multitude of awful things that could have (but didn't!) happen to my family.

I finally realized I had postpartum anxiety—and everything changed

When my oldest son would fall asleep in my arms, I wouldn't grab my phone for a picture. Instead, I would start Googling. How long should newborns sleep? Should you wake a sleeping baby? Can you spoil an infant? From the moment he shut his eyes, I would worry about what I was doing wrong.

Kristina on surviving postpartum psychosis

"How does a 30-year old mom of two with no previous history of mental illness get admitted to the psych ward? This is where my memory fails me, but the diagnosis: Postpartum Psychosis."

5 steps to regain control when you’re feeling anxious, mama

Some anxiety in motherhood is expected, but when does it become too much?

The top 10 myths about the mental health of new moms

2. “I can’t take any medication until I’m no longer pregnant/nursing.”

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