#787 Big Feelings

Postpartum Anxiety

Katy shares her experience with postpartum anxiety, a condition often overshadowed by postpartum depression. She describes the intense daily anxiety she felt, fearing she might fail as a mother, which led her to seek therapy and receive a diagnosis of panic disorder 1. Her grandmother's extreme religious beliefs and behavior influenced her decision to pursue therapy, as she wanted to avoid similar patterns in her own life 1.

I was highly anxious all day, every day, like, so worried I was going to mess this up somehow.

--- Katy

Katy's husband comes from a family where mental health issues are often unspoken, contrasting with her own family's openness, which sometimes felt overwhelming 2.

   

Family Influence

Navigating familial influences, Katy reflects on the challenges posed by her family's dynamics, particularly her grandmother's religious fervor. This environment contributed to her anxiety, prompting her to distance herself from certain family members to protect her mental health 3. Therapy helped her realize the importance of setting boundaries, especially when dealing with family members who might not be addressing their own mental health issues 3.

I had to start doing that. So my husband and I really started to back off.

--- Katy

Katy recounts the overwhelming experience of leaving the hospital with her newborn, feeling the weight of future challenges and the need to focus on the present, a perspective her husband naturally embraced 4.