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The thoughts won't stop. You check the baby monitor for the tenth time in an hour. Your heart races when your partner holds the baby near the stairs. You Google every tiny symptom, convinced something terrible is about to happen. You can't shake the images of worst-case scenarios playing in your mind, and you're terrified to tell anyone because what if they think you're dangerous?
If this sounds familiar, you're experiencing postpartum anxiety —and you're far from alone. While postpartum depression gets most of the attention, postpartum anxiety is actually more common, affecting up to 20% of new mothers. The intrusive thoughts, the constant worry, the physical symptoms—they're all real, they're not your fault, and most importantly, they don't mean you're a bad mom.
As a postpartum anxiety therapist in Austin who specializes in perinatal mental health, I've walked alongside countless mothers through this exact experience. The anxiety that feels all-consuming right now? It can get better. Let me show you how.
What Postpartum Anxiety Actually Feels Like
Postpartum anxiety isn't just "normal new mom worry." It's persistent, overwhelming, and often physically exhausting. Here's what postpartum anxiety really looks like:
The Mental Symptoms
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Constant, intrusive "what if" thoughts that spiral out of control
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Racing thoughts that make it impossible to sleep even when the baby sleeps
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Intrusive images or thoughts about harm coming to your baby
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Inability to relax or feel calm, even in peaceful moments
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Feeling like something terrible is always about to happen
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Obsessive worry about your baby's health, breathing, feeding, or development
The Physical Symptoms
Many moms don't realize their physical symptoms are actually postpartum anxiety:
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Heart racing or pounding (postpartum panic attacks)
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Chest tightness or difficulty breathing
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Nausea or stomach issues
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Dizziness or feeling faint
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Muscle tension, especially in shoulders and jaw
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Feeling shaky or on edge constantly
The Behavioral Signs
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Checking the baby excessively (breathing, temperature, monitors)
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Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety (driving with baby, letting others hold them)
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Seeking constant reassurance from your partner or pediatrician
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Researching symptoms or dangers obsessively online
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Difficulty leaving the house or being separated from your baby
If you're nodding along to these, you're experiencing postpartum anxiety in Austin, and specialized therapy can help you find relief.
Postpartum OCD:
The Anxiety Nobody Talks About
One of the most misunderstood—and most terrifying—aspects of postpartum anxiety is postpartum OCD in Austin. This isn't about being neat or organized. Postpartum OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts that feel completely horrifying.
What Postpartum OCD Looks Like
Intrusive thoughts might include:
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Images of accidentally dropping or hurting your baby
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Fears you might "snap" and do something to harm your child
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Disturbing sexual thoughts about your baby
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Constant worry you'll accidentally poison or suffocate your baby
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Repetitive thoughts about germs, contamination, or illness
Here's what's crucial to understand: Having these thoughts does NOT mean you want to act on them. In fact, the reason they're so distressing is because they go against everything you value. These are anxiety symptoms, not desires or intentions.
Compulsions That Come With Postpartum OCD
To manage the anxiety from intrusive thoughts, you might develop compulsions:
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Avoiding being alone with your baby
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Hiding knives or other "dangerous" objects
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Checking and rechecking the baby constantly
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Excessive cleaning or sanitizing
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Seeking reassurance repeatedly that you're not a bad person
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Mental rituals (counting, praying, repeating phrases)
Postpartum OCD therapy helps you understand that these thoughts are symptoms of anxiety, not reflections of who you are. With the right treatment, you can break free from the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions.
Postpartum Panic Attacks:
When Anxiety Peaks
Sometimes postpartum anxiety escalates into full-blown postpartum panic attacks. These episodes can be absolutely terrifying, especially when you're alone with your baby.
What a Postpartum Panic Attack Feels Like
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Sudden, intense fear or sense of doom
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Heart pounding so hard you think you're having a heart attack
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Difficulty breathing or feeling like you're choking
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Dizziness, shaking, or feeling detached from reality
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Fear that you're dying or losing control
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Urgent need to escape or get help
Why Panic Attacks Happen Postpartum
Postpartum panic attacks often stem from:
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Sleep deprivation amplifying anxiety sensitivity
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Hormonal fluctuations affecting your nervous system
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Feeling trapped or overwhelmed by new responsibilities
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Fear of something happening to your baby while you're incapacitated
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Previous anxiety that's intensified after birth
Many mothers describe their first panic attack as the scariest moment of their lives—more frightening than labor itself. But here's the truth: panic attacks, while terrifying, are not dangerous. And with postpartum anxiety therapy, you can learn to manage and prevent them.
Why Postpartum Anxiety Happens
(It's Not Your Fault)
You didn't cause your postpartum anxiety. This isn't about being weak, negative, or not grateful enough for your baby. Postpartum anxiety has real, biological causes:
Biological Factors
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Dramatic hormonal shifts after birth affect mood-regulating neurotransmitters
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Sleep deprivation disrupts your brain's ability to regulate emotions
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Physical recovery from birth creates stress on your system
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Previous anxiety or family history can make you more vulnerable
Psychological Factors
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The enormous responsibility of keeping a tiny human alive
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Loss of control over your schedule, body, and life
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Perfectionism and pressure to be a "good mom"
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Isolation from your previous support systems
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Previous trauma (including birth trauma) being retriggered
Life Circumstances
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Lack of practical support with childcare
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Relationship stress or feeling disconnected from your partner
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Financial worries or work pressures
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Difficult baby temperament or feeding/sleep challenges
Understanding the "why" helps reduce the shame many mothers feel. Postpartum anxiety is a medical condition, not a character flaw.
How Postpartum Anxiety Therapy Can Help
As a postpartum anxiety therapist in Austin, I use evidence-based approaches specifically designed for perinatal mental health. Here's what therapy for postpartum anxiety looks like:
1. Understanding Your Anxiety
We'll identify your specific triggers, thought patterns, and how anxiety manifests in your body.
Knowledge is power—understanding what's happening helps reduce the fear.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Postpartum Anxiety
Challenging catastrophic thinking ("something terrible will happen")
Reality-testing your fears Building more balanced, realistic thoughts
Breaking the cycle of anxiety and avoidance
3. Practical Anxiety Management Skills
Nervous system regulation techniques
Sleep hygiene strategies (within the reality of having a newborn)
Boundary-setting with family and friends
Self-compassion practices
4. Addressing Root Causes
Processing birth trauma if that's contributing to anxiety
Healing from past trauma that's resurfacing
Working through perfectionism and mom guilt
Rebuilding your identity beyond motherhood
What Makes Postpartum Anxiety Therapy Different
Postpartum anxiety therapy isn't just regular anxiety treatment applied to new moms. It requires specialized understanding of the perinatal period, intrusive thoughts in mothers, and the mother-baby relationship. When seeking mental health during postpartum you need someone who has training to understand the impact of hormones, birth recovery, and sleep deprivation on mental health. You need to know the person you are speaking with knows how common intrusive thoughts can be and how they do not correlate with actual risk. And someone who can help you support a secure attachment with your baby while also managing anxiety. This true depth of understanding is vital to receive effective and compassionate treatment during this uniquely stressful chapter of your life.
You Deserve to Enjoy Motherhood
Right now, you might feel like you're just surviving—white-knuckling your way through each day, waiting for disaster to strike. But postpartum anxiety doesn't have to define your motherhood experience. After treatment many moms describe actually enjoying time with their baby and being able to sleep with ease. They describe feeling present in the moment and feeling confident in their parenting choices. And most importantly you could feel like yourself again, gaining back that freedom and enjoyment you once had.
When to Seek Help for Postpartum Anxiety in Austin
You don't need to wait until you're in crisis. Reach out if:
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Anxiety is interfering with daily functioning or bonding with your baby
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You're having intrusive thoughts that won't go away
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You've experienced postpartum panic attacks
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You're avoiding situations or activities because of anxiety
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Physical symptoms are constant (racing heart, nausea, tension)
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You're feeling hopeless about ever feeling better
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Your partner or loved ones have expressed concern
The sooner you get support for postpartum anxiety, the sooner you can start feeling better. You don't have to earn the right to feel good—you deserve help right now, exactly as you are.
Frequently Asked Questions About Postpartum Anxiety
1 / How is postpartum anxiety different from postpartum depression?
While postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression can occur together, they're distinct conditions. Postpartum depression involves persistent sadness, loss of interest, and feelings of emptiness. Postpartum anxiety is characterized by excessive worry, racing thoughts, and physical tension. You can have one without the other, though many mothers experience both.
2 / Can postpartum anxiety start months after birth?
Yes! While postpartum anxiety often begins in the first few weeks, it can develop anytime in the first year (or even beyond). Some mothers don't experience anxiety until they return to work, stop breastfeeding, or their baby reaches a new developmental stage.
3 / Are my intrusive thoughts dangerous?
No. Intrusive thoughts in postpartum OCD are the opposite of dangerous—they're your anxiety brain's way of trying to protect your baby, but it's gone into overdrive. Research shows that mothers with postpartum OCD are NOT at increased risk of harming their babies. The distress you feel about these thoughts actually demonstrates how much you love your child.
4 / How long does postpartum anxiety last without treatment?
Without treatment, postpartum anxiety can persist for months or even years, sometimes evolving into chronic anxiety. However, with appropriate postpartum anxiety therapy, most mothers see significant improvement within 8-12 weeks, with continued progress over several months.
5 / Can I do therapy while caring for a newborn?
Absolutely! I offer flexible scheduling and virtual sessions for postpartum anxiety therapy in Austin and in most states, which means you can attend from home during nap time or even while holding or feeding your baby. We'll work together to make therapy accessible, not another overwhelming task on your plate.
Ready to Start Postpartum Anxiety Therapy in Austin?
Living with postpartum anxiety in Austin is exhausting. The constant worry, the intrusive thoughts, the physical symptoms—you're carrying so much. But you don't have to carry it alone.
As a postpartum anxiety therapist in Austin who specializes in postpartum OCD and postpartum panic attacks, I've helped countless mothers move from barely surviving to actually thriving. The anxiety that feels permanent right now? It can change. You can feel like yourself again.
You deserve to:
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Trust yourself as a mother
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Sleep without racing thoughts
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Be present with your baby
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Feel calm in your body
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Enjoy this season of life
Postpartum anxiety therapy can help you get there. You've already taken the brave step of reading this page—now let's take the next step together.
Reaching out is the hardest part. Once you do, relief can begin.
512-766-9871
2525 Wallingwood Drive 7D, Austin, Texas 78746
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