Help For the Stay-at-Home Parent
If you are you a stay-at-home parent that struggles with symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, guilt, or identity loss? You are not alone. If you are seeking therapy for new parenthood or to find ways how to overcome anxiety after staying home with a new baby, talking to an Orlando woman's therapist or anxiety therapist can help.
According to Pew Research fact tank from 2018, stay-at-home parents made up more than 11 million US parents (18%) who were not working outside of the home in 2016. That means stay-at-home moms and dads account for about 1 in 5 US parents – about 7% fathers and 27% mothers. Twenty-one percent of millennial mothers (ages 20-35) were at home with their children in 2016.
SAHM and Stay at home parent Mental Health Risks
According to a 2012 Gallup analysis, which included more than 60,000 U.S. women, stay-at-home moms reported feeling more sadness, stress, anger, worry, and depression than employed moms. The poll also concluded that stay-at-home moms don't feel as many happy emotions. As a stay-at-home parent, you may feel hesitant to express complaints as a society typically views stay-at-home parents as “lucky,” “blessed,” or “a gift.”
Stay-at-home parents may experience feelings of anxiety or depression such as:
- feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
- irritability
- changes in sleep unrelated to parenthood
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- feeling helpless or powerless
- lack of energy
- fatigue
- feeling foggy and having trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
- changes in appetite or weight
- aches or pains, like headaches or stomachaches without a clear physical cause that don’t respond to treatment
When to Seek Help
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to seek professional help. You are not alone and the women's therapists in Orlando or an anxiety therapy specialist in Orlando at Orlando Thrive Therapy are here to help. Our therapists can provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to share and process all your emotions – whether you’re new to parenthood or a seasoned pro. It is important to find someone you feel comfortable and connected with to maximize the benefits of your therapy experience.
Your therapist will help you create and achieve goals to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, build autonomy and explore your new identity after parenthood. To find out more about how therapy can help you in this, or to reach the author of this article, Lauren Rhodes, LMFT, contact Orlando Thrive Therapy today.
