Today on The Expressive Mom Show, my guest is Atara Parkinson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist deeply dedicated to helping clients understand and harness the mind-body connection.
Atara integrates somatic approaches into her therapy practice, acknowledging that true healing extends beyond the intellectual, physical, and emotional realms.
Her passion lies in guiding clients to craft sustainable, fulfilling visions for their lives, empowering them to find clarity and cultivate a harmonious balance of mind, body, and soul.
Atara deeply values the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship. She recognizes that genuine progress requires clients to feel seen, heard, and understood.
By fostering safety and empathy, Atara helps clients unravel outdated beliefs and patterns that hinder their well-being, creating a space for transformative growth.
In this episode, we delve into postpartum anxiety, an often overlooked mental health condition that affects many new parents.
Atara shares her personal journey with postpartum anxiety, shedding light on a topic that deserves far more awareness and understanding.
What Is Postpartum Anxiety?
Postpartum anxiety is a prevalent yet under-discussed condition that significantly impacts the mental health of new parents.
It goes beyond typical concerns about newborn care, presenting relentless fear, excessive worry, and physical tension that can feel paralyzing.
Symptoms include racing thoughts, hypervigilance about the baby’s health or safety, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and even panic attacks.
Unlike postpartum depression, which may center on feelings of sadness or disconnection, postpartum anxiety often manifests through intrusive “what if” scenarios that feel impossible to control.
The causes of postpartum anxiety are multifaceted, with hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the demands of adapting to parenthood all playing a role.
Yet, despite its prevalence, postpartum anxiety often flies under the radar, leaving many parents to struggle in silence.
Fortunately, there is hope. Therapeutic approaches, including talk therapy and somatic practices, can help individuals process their anxiety in a safe and supportive environment.
Mindfulness techniques and, in some cases, medication can also provide relief and aid recovery.
Raising awareness about postpartum anxiety is crucial, not just to normalize the conversation but also to ensure that parents know they are not alone and that help is available.
Join us as Atara shares her insights and expertise, offering a compassionate perspective on this critical issue.
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