Discerning Trauma

If you are a woman in distress, please seek help. You can contact whoever is treating or has treated you during pregnancy since they know you best. You are not alone in this, many women suffer. However, many suffer silently when it should not be so. It is ok to ask for help when it is too overwhelming. The information that is presented here could be useful for you, but it does not substitute the help needed when in the deep waters of postpartum stress.

Common feelings of Postpartum Stress

The following checklists are quoted from Kleiman and Davis Raskin’s book This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression (2013, p.5,19). This book is highly recommended, as it is written by one of the leading practitioners in postpartum stress, Karen Kleiman. For more information about her and her work please visit The Postpartum Stress Center website.

Postpartum Depression

• I can’t shake feeling depressed no matter what I do.
• I cry at least once a day.
• I feel sad most or all of the time.
• I can’t concentrate.
• I don’t enjoy the things that I used to enjoy.
• I have no interest in making love at all, even though my doctor says I am now physically able to resume sexual relations.
• I can’t sleep, even when my baby sleeps.
• I feel like a failure all of the time.
• I have no energy: I am tired all of the time.
• I have no appetite and no enjoyment of food (or, I am having sugar and carbohydrate cravings and compulsively eating all the time).
• I can’t remember the last time I laughed.
• Every little thing gets on my nerves lately. Sometimes, I am even furious at my baby. Often, I am angry with my husband.
• I feel that the future is hopeless.
• It seems like I will feel this way forever.
• There are times when I feel that it would be better to be dead than to feel this way for one more minute.

Postpartum Anxiety/Panic Disorder

• I can’t catch my breath.
• My heart pounds, races, and/or skips a beat.
• My hands shake or tremble.
• I have stomach pains, nausea, and/or diarrhea.
• I get hot flashes or chills.
• I feel that something terrible is about to happen.
• I get dizzy or light-headed.
• Things appear “funny” or “unreal.”
• I worry excessively about what might happen in the future.
• I feel like I’m dying or about to have a heart attack.
• I am afraid to leave my house or be alone, because I might have an anxiety attack and not be able to get help.
• I feel numb or tingly in my hands and/or around my mouth.

Articles Related to Postpartum Stress

Disclaimer: The information in this website is true and complete to the best of my knowledge, often with facts interpreted by a Scriptural worldview. This website is intended only as an informative guide for those wishing to know more about trauma and postpartum stress based on assignments completed for the purpose of a degree. In no way is this website intended to replace or conflict with advice given by your own practitioner. The decision for your care is yours, as decided between you and the professional you have trusted. Information on this website is general and is offered with no guarantees on behalf of the author. The author disclaims all liability in connection with the use of this website.