Navigating Anxiety as a New Mother: Understanding and Managing the Journey
Becoming a mother is a profound and transformative experience. It brings immense joy, love, and fulfillment, but it also comes with its share of challenges. Among these challenges, anxiety is a common and often overwhelming emotion that many new mothers face. Understanding and managing this anxiety is crucial for the well-being of both the mother and her baby.
Understanding Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety is a condition that affects many new mothers, often overshadowed by its more well-known counterpart, postpartum depression. Unlike general anxiety, postpartum anxiety is specifically related to the period following childbirth and is characterized by excessive worry and fear about the baby's health, well-being, and the mother's ability to care for her child.
Common symptoms of postpartum anxiety include:
Constant worry and fear about the baby's safety
Intrusive thoughts about harm coming to the baby
Difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is sleeping
Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, dizziness, or shortness of breath
Irritability and difficulty concentrating
It's important to note that experiencing some level of worry and concern is normal for new mothers. However, when these feelings become overwhelming and interfere with daily life, it may be indicative of postpartum anxiety.
Causes of Postpartum Anxiety
Several factors can contribute to the development of postpartum anxiety, including:
Hormonal Changes: The dramatic shift in hormone levels after childbirth can impact mood and emotional stability.
Sleep Deprivation: Caring for a newborn often means disrupted sleep patterns, which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress.
Previous Anxiety or Depression: A history of anxiety or depression can increase the risk of developing postpartum anxiety.
Life Changes: The significant lifestyle adjustments that come with a new baby, such as changes in work, relationships, and personal identity, can contribute to feelings of anxiety.
Managing Postpartum Anxiety
Managing postpartum anxiety is essential for the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. Here are some strategies that can help:
Seek Professional Help: If you are experiencing severe anxiety, it's important to seek help from a healthcare provider. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications can be effective in treating postpartum anxiety.
Practice Self-Care: Taking time for yourself is crucial. Even short breaks for activities you enjoy can make a big difference. Remember, self-care is not selfish; it's necessary.
Connect with Others: Isolation can worsen anxiety. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups for new mothers. Sharing experiences and hearing others' stories can provide comfort and reassurance.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help reduce anxiety. These techniques can help calm the mind and improve your ability to cope with stress.
Prioritize Sleep: While getting adequate sleep with a newborn can be challenging, try to rest when your baby sleeps. Consider sharing nighttime duties with a partner or family member to ensure you get some restorative sleep.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and staying hydrated can positively impact your mood and overall well-being.
Final Thoughts
Experiencing anxiety as a new mother is common, but it doesn't have to be endured alone or in silence. Recognizing the signs, understanding the causes, and implementing effective strategies can help manage and alleviate postpartum anxiety. Remember, it's okay to ask for help and prioritize your mental health. A happy, healthy mother is better equipped to care for her baby and enjoy the beautiful journey of motherhood.
If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum anxiety, reach out to a healthcare professional for support and guidance. You are not alone, and help is available.
The Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psych Evaluation: What To Expect and What You Need To Know.
It all begins with an idea.
So, you have decided to have Bariatric Surgery to help improve your health and wellbeing. Your surgeon now tells you that you will need a psychiatric evaluation done before you can have your desired surgery and several questions immediately run through your mind. Why do I need a psych evaluation before Bariatric Surgery? What exactly does a Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psych Evaluation consist of? Can I fail the Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psych Evaluation? I’m taking an anti-depressant; will that disqualify me from having Bariatric surgery?
Why Do I Need to Have a Psych Evaluation Before Bariatric Surgery?
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has set standards of care for bariatric patients to ensure the best possible outcomes; this includes a mandate for a psych evaluation before bariatric surgery.
While the medical benefits of bariatric surgery with its subsequent weight loss have been well documented, there is always the possibility that things may not go as planned. After surgery, a person may struggle to cope with post-op dietary restrictions, changes to their body and/or how their body processes food, fears of gaining weight, or concerns about their rate of weight loss. These struggles can lead to “food fear” and not eating properly which may result in medical issues like malnutrition.
These same struggles after surgery put patients at a greater risk of developing depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, or switching of addiction from “food for comfort” to alcohol or another vice for comfort. If a patient is already struggling with depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, or addiction the poorer their outcomes will be.
The goal of the bariatric pre-surgical psych evaluation is not punitive or to invade your privacy but to help ensure that you meet your goals of living a healthier and happier life after surgery.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has set standards of care for bariatric patients to ensure the best possible outcomes; this includes a mandate for a psych evaluation before bariatric surgery.
What Should I Expect During My Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psych Evaluation?
You should expect to spend 1-2 hours with your evaluator. During this time, your evaluator will need to calculate your BMI, inquire as to which bariatric procedure you intend to have, and obtain the name of your surgeon and the facility where you intend to have your procedure done.
You will also be asked about several different topics including:
- Your mental health history will include:
General outpatient treatment including any medications for mental health purposes past or present,
Active engagement in therapy
Previous psychiatric hospitalizations,
Rehab, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalizations,
Non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors or suicide attempts in the past 5 years.
- Your previous attempts at weight loss and the results of those attempts
- Your current work with a nutritionist and any support groups you may be attending.
- Your general feelings toward food and history of eating disorder
- Your motivation for having surgery and your expectations for your surgery
- Your understanding of the risks of the procedure you will be having and your understanding of possible post-op complications
- Your anticipation of any difficulties with post-operative recovery, dietary restrictions, and exercise
- The financial and emotional support you have in place to help you through the recovery process.
Your evaluator will also have you complete several standardized mental health screenings aimed at assessing you for current symptoms of mental illness, eating disorders, and active addiction.
Can I Fail The Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psych Evaluation?
I have seen some online sources say that you “can’t fail” the Bariatric Pre-surgical Psych Evaluation and report that this psych evaluation is merely a tool to help your surgical team prepare you for a good outcome, but the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery guidelines have established 3 mental health conditions that are considered contraindications for bariatric surgery. These are:
1) Active Psychosis
2) A history of a suicide attempt in the past 2 years or several attempts within the past 5 years even if those attempts were more than 2 years ago
3) Active Addiction
Remember that the Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psych Evaluation is to help ensure that you have the best possible outcome after your surgery. Being honest during your Psych evaluation is in your best interest even if it means a delay in having the procedure. Keep in mind that having a mental health diagnosis or being on medication for a mental illness will not in and of itself prevent you from having your surgery, but these conditions need to be stable, and you need to tolerate your current regimen without side effects.
I Failed the Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psych Evaluation, Now What?
Most individuals pass the psych evaluation without any difficulty, but if you have been told that you are not cleared for surgery it can be very frustrating and anxiety-provoking. In most cases, the mental health provider doing your pre-surgical psych evaluation will recommend that you be re-evaluated in 3-6 months. At that time, your symptoms and any medication regimen will be reassessed. Depending on the assessment and reason for the surgical clearance rejection therapy may also be recommended.
If you were denied clearance due to a recent suicide attempt or multiple attempts during the past 5 years, you will need to wait 2 years to be re-considered for Bariatric Surgery.
If you were denied due to active addiction, you will need to have been clean/sober for at least 1 year and engaged in an active recovery program. The risk for developing alcoholism and/or the switching of addictions is very high in bariatric surgery patients.
If you were denied due to active psychosis you will need to have had complete resolution of psychosis with no recurrence for 2 years.
As disappointing and frustrating as it may be to “fail” the evaluation try to remember that it is better to delay your surgery than to have a poor outcome.
Blog Post Title Two
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.