Offer reassurance:‘ It’ s okay not to love every moment.’
wellness
Can you have postpartum anxiety without depression?
“ Yes, absolutely,” Vermaak says.“ Anxiety often stands alone.”
Common signs include:
• repeatedly checking on the baby even when they’ re safe.
• obsessive worry or racing thoughts.
• tightness in the chest, nausea, or restlessness.
• fear of leaving the house or letting anyone else hold the baby.
“ Sometimes everything feels like a threat,” she says.“ No amount of logic can make it stop.”
When to seek help
If symptoms last more than two weeks or feel overwhelming, seek help.
Start with:
• Your GP or midwife
• A mental health professional
• A support group( in-person or online)
• SADAG( SA Depression and Anxiety Group) at www. sadag. org
“ Your first call might not be the right fit,” Vermaak warns.“ When I first reached out, someone suggested adoption. They didn’ t know that I was adopted and wanted to keep my baby. But I kept going until I found the right help.”
“ And remember,” she adds,“ healing isn’ t just mental – it’ s physical, too. Studies link gut health, exercise and sunlight to improved mood. Even a short walk in the sun can help replenish serotonin, the‘ feel-good’ hormone.”
Offer reassurance:‘ It’ s okay not to love every moment.’
How can loved ones help?
Support is critical for mothers.“ Ask her gently,‘ How are you really feeling?’ Or offer reassurance:‘ It’ s okay not to love every moment’,” says Vermaak.
Instead of vague offers like“ Let me know if you need anything”, she suggests practical help:“ Drop off a meal. Offer to hold the baby so she can nap... Sometimes, the smallest gesture can lift the heaviest burden.”
Watch for these signs...
• Is she unusually quiet or‘ flat’?
• Has her personality changed?
• Is she avoiding joy or social interaction?
• Is she unusually controlling or perfectionistic?
“ Don’ t forget about dads,” says Vermaak.“ They need support, too.” �
RESOURCES:
• SADAG Support: www. sadag. org
• Prevalence of co-morbid anxiety and depression in pregnancy and postpartum: https:// pubmed. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov / 40079080 /
• Sunlight, Serotonin and Your Sleep Cycle: www. pbsnc. org / blogs / science / sunlight-happiness-link /
• Treadmill exercise and serotonin in PPD rats( https:// pmc. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov / articles / PMC5412484 /)
92 www. babysandbeyond. co. za