You’ve just welcomed your child into the world, yet you’re not experiencing the happiness and joy that you expected. Instead, you’ve been suffering from low moods, irritability, and a lack of energy that persists even when you do manage to rest. You might worry about your ability to care for your baby. Your family and friends might be concerned about your well-being, yet you don’t know how to pinpoint what’s wrong.
These emotions are not always simply part of the adjustment to parenthood. Sometimes, they are linked to postpartum depression. While hormonal shifts and life circumstances can absolutely contribute to postpartum depression, societal expectations play a role, too. Here are a few reasons why societal pressure can actually exacerbate postpartum depression.
Rushing to Feel “Normal”
You don’t feel quite like “yourself” after giving birth. This is completely fine, and many women find that it takes quite a while to adjust and get used to this new chapter of your life. However, you might feel like people around you do not fully understand the monumental change you just experienced.
Perhaps you’re expected to jump right back into your job after a short maternity leave, or your friends are confused about why you can’t spend as much time with them anymore. On top of everything else, you’re now struggling with guilt over the fact that you can’t be who everyone wants you to be.
The Pressure to Do Everything Perfectly
Suddenly, you’re responsible for the life of a small human being who depends on you for everything. You’re more exhausted than you’ve ever been, and you’re giving parenting your all. Yet it’s still not good enough for society’s expectations.
Each day, you’re exposed to conflicting advice about what you “should” be doing for your baby. You’re constantly questioning your decisions because you can’t figure out what’s right or wrong. Additionally, you’re worried about how your body feels after giving birth, and you don’t want to be judged for the way you look.
Expectations Regarding Relationships
Now that your baby has arrived, everyone wants to stop by and visit you. The last thing on your mind is hosting. But your parents, in-laws, siblings, friends, and neighbors are constantly asking about the baby.
You want time to bond with your newest member of the family, but now, you’re stretching yourself thin trying to please everyone else, too. They all have different opinions on parenting, and attempting to defend your own choices is wearing you thin.
Trying to Balance Work and Parenthood
Some parents get long leave policies from work, but others do not. You might feel as though you’re being rushed back into work after only a few short weeks. Trying to juggle parenting and your job is unrelenting, and some days, it seems like you’re being pushed to the brink. You’re always concerned that you’re letting someone down at home or at work.
Caught Off Guard by Pressures of Parenthood
Finally, although you’re curious about this new chapter in your life, the genuine challenges of parenthood may have caught you completely off guard. Even if you had wanted children for years before having your baby, and you were eager for the big lifestyle change it would entail, now you’re dealing with challenges that you never anticipated.
You were told over and over again that parenting would be hard. But it’s difficult to truly envision what that means until you’re a parent, and the realization can affect your mental health.
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Are you concerned that you may be suffering from postpartum depression? Talking to a therapist can help you heal. Reach out to us to learn more about our therapy services for postpartum therapy.