As if the stress of bringing home a new baby isn’t enough, anxiety can often rear its ugly head and complicate things. Thankfully, among the resources available (like medical care, therapy, and online 24/7 support groups, other moms can help a new mom with anxiety, too. Turns out, it truly does take a village, and that doesn't necessarily mean that it's all about child-rearing. Sometimes, the people who understand you best are the other mothers who are going through, feeling, experiencing and thinking the exact same things you are.
I don’t assume that my own experience with anxiety is going to be relatable for all who have had, or who currently suffers from the disorder, but I do hope that perhaps some of the insights I’ve gained might be helpful. For example, may I suggest that if you know someone struggling with anxiety, don’t agree to watch their baby and then pretend like you lost their baby. Don’t knock on their door and run away, but leave a threatening note written in cut-up magazine letters behind. Don't say things like, "get over it," or "I know exactly what you're feeling," or anything that can downplay what they're feeling. You know, the basics.
All joking (and not joking) aside, anxiety can show up in many forms, but empathy and kindness can usually go a long way. As always, a medical and/or mental health professional is going to be best equipped to help, but we can all make a commitment to be supportive and caring by showing up and offering the following: