New parent anxiety

There is a lot of research out there regarding postpartum depression, but a lot of parents do not know about the postpartum clinical anxiety.

Some quick facts and figures:

1. Approximately 75% of women experience postpartum blues (looks like clinical depression, but self-resolves within 2 weeks post birth) after birth.
2. Of those women, around 20% will go on to experience postpartum depression.
3. 16% will go on to experience postpartum anxiety (although you do not have to experience postpartum blues beforehand)
4. Only 20% of OBGYNS screen for postpartum anxiety (which, although related, is different from assessment for postpartum depression)
5. The majority of OBGYNs first line of treatment are SSRIs, antidepressants, which take 4-6 weeks to BEGIN working
6. A small majority of OBGYNS recommend CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) treatment
   1. CBT treatment for postpartum anxiety and depression is evidence-based and begins to work right away. The effects will also maintain post SSRI treatment completion.

Great sites for finding a CBT therapist, especially ones that can do home visits in the postpartum period are http://www.abct.org and http://www.adaa.org

And if you are in the DC area, our center also does this type of treatment, with home visits (www.washingtonanxietycenter.com)

Remember that a happy mommy and daddy means a happy baby!