In short, postpartum rage can affect everyone, either directly or indirectly.
What causes postpartum rage?
Unfortunately, there is no single cause for rage. Much like depression and other disorders, several factors come into play. Age, hormonal status, pre-existing conditions, family history, and even the weather can play a role in developing mood disorders.
Fluctuations in hormones during and after childbirth can wreak havoc on a woman’s body and mind. This, coupled with physical changes, such as weight gain and stretch marks, can cause feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety. For some mothers, these feelings may come out as postpartum rage or depression.
How can I manage postpartum rage?
Anger management involves first acknowledging the emotion and possible triggers. For postpartum women, depression can manifest as or alongside irritability and anger. A mental health professional would be the best person to consult regarding mood disorders and mental health.
Aside from these, a strong support unit at home is essential. Meditation and relaxation techniques are useful to calm down. Counseling may be an option if it is difficult to cope with household members during this time. Other ways to manage feelings of anger and rage include:
- Challenging or changing automatic thoughts
- Taking naps or getting more sleep at night
- Communicate your feelings more effectively, such as through drawings and movement if not words
- Mindfulness, specifically befriending anger, or self-compassion meditation
- Make yourself laugh by watching comedies
- Give yourself a break
- Exercise
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Find your happy place
- Do spiritually enriching activities
Unless the condition causes you to become violent, it is unlikely that you will need medications such as tranquilizers or mood stabilizers to manage postpartum rage.
Key takeaways
Mental health is just as important as physical health. This is especially true for expecting and new mothers. Anger is a normal emotion, but rage can lead to negative effects on you and your family. Consult a health professional if you or a loved one recently gave birth and has symptoms of a mood disorder.
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