What to Know About Postpartum Rage

Health and Wellness,Women's Health,Maternal Health,Mental Health

What to Know About Postpartum Rage

05.02.2025 | 4 min read

Medically reviewed by Cheryl Gibson-Fountain, M.D.

Early motherhood can bring peace, joy and fulfillment, but it is a journey that has its ups and downs.

The stress new mothers face can lead to postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, two commonly diagnosed mood disorders. Stress during the postpartum period can also manifest as anger or feelings of “postpartum rage” for some new moms.

While not an official medical diagnosis, postpartum rage is recognized as a mood disruption that can cause intense anger, aggression and agitation, usually between the first six weeks to a year after childbirth. Postpartum rage can cause new moms to become easily irritable and lose their temper quicker than they normally would. It’s a common, treatable condition.

Is postpartum rage related to postpartum depression?

There aren’t many studies on postpartum rage, but experts believe the condition may be more common in people with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder or in people who experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Up to 22% of new mothers may experience post-partum depression, according to a study.

You can experience symptoms of postpartum depression – such as sadness, guilt or loneliness– while also demonstrating intense anger. But it is also possible for a person to have postpartum rage without feeling depressed, according to the Cleveland Clinic, so the two conditions aren’t necessarily synonymous with each other.

What are symptoms and causes of postpartum rage?

In addition to feeling angry or scared in the face of so much change, postpartum rage can be a response to feelings of overwhelm as the responsibilities of being a parent pile up. Moms may also feel frustrated by a lack of support.

A 2022 study examining the first two postpartum years of 20 mothers stated the daily struggles of parenting – without adequate support – made the participants feel “on edge” and like their expectations were not met. Researchers said expressions of anger among the participants could include more hostile and negative relationships with partners or family members they felt unsupported by. Other causes of postpartum rage, per the Cleveland Clinic, include:

Drops in estrogen and progesterone levels.
Personal or family history of depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Changes in your sleep patterns and a general lack of sleep. The same study noted it is important to assess maternal anger, the mother’s sleep problems and the infant’s sleep problems after childbirth to identify ways moms can meet their needs for autonomy, sleep and emotional connection to reduce their anger.
Changes to your body, lifestyle or relationships.

Symptoms can include:

Lashing out when you typically would not
Feeling the urge to scream at others
Hitting objects or slamming doors
Dwelling on a situation longer than you typically would
Losing control of your temper
Being irritable, frustrated or “on edge”
Feeling unable to cope with your emotions

What are treatment options for postpartum rage?

If you’ve experienced symptoms of postpartum rage, reach out to your primary care provider (PCP) about postpartum mood and anxiety disorder screenings. That way you can identify your specific condition.

The most common treatment options include therapy and medication. Talking to a licensed counselor who can make you feel heard may relieve feelings of stress and anger. Additionally, certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can help moms better manage their anger.

Coping with postpartum rage: Tips and lifestyle changes to consider

These mood shifts are temporary, and you are not alone in how you feel. Aside from working with your PCP on a diagnosis and treatment plan, consider other forms of support, like joining an online or in-person support group with fellow parents who can relate to your feelings and validate them.

You can also try babysitting, swapping among other parents you know and working to create a better line of communication with your partner, which can lead to better support and fewer burdensome feelings. Finally, focusing on self-care activities and stress management techniques can help. Try prioritizing:

Breathwork, meditation and mindfulness
Seven to eight hours of sleep per night
Moderate-to-intense exercise up to five days a week
A healthy, balanced diet
Regular conversations with a licensed therapist

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