Postpartum Anxiety and Depression: You Are Not Alone

When the weeks after birth feel heavy, anxious, or frightening, many parents feel ashamed — as if something is wrong with them. I want to say clearly: you are not alone, it is not your fault, and it is treatable.

It's more common than people say

Perinatal anxiety and depression affect a large share of new parents, during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. It doesn't always look like sadness — sometimes it's constant worry, racing thoughts, irritability, or feeling disconnected.

It's not a reflection of your love or strength

This is a real, physiological experience shaped by enormous change — not a measure of how much you love your baby. Reaching for help makes you a caring parent.

Help genuinely works

There are effective options — therapy, medication (including choices considered during pregnancy and breastfeeding), and support — chosen carefully, together.

If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please don't wait — call or text 988, dial 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.