The Follow-Up: Perinatal Rage

So many moms feel they must always be gentle, patient, and nurturing. When intense irritability, sudden anger, or rage bubbles up during pregnancy or the postpartum period, it’s easy to suffer in silence out of fear of judgment. Dr. Mona and Dr. Ashurina pull back the curtain on why parental rage happens, how to recognize the clinical signs of a flooded nervous system, and why getting help early—before reaching a crisis point—is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.

Here are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Perinatal Rage is Wrapped in Shame: Many mothers suffer in silence because societal expectations dictate that moms should always be gentle, patient, and nurturing, making it incredibly difficult to admit to feeling intense anger or rage.

• It Can Start During Pregnancy: Mood shifts and anxiety during the perinatal period are often incorrectly dismissed as "just hormones," but symptoms of depression, anxiety, and rage can actively begin during pregnancy.

• Depression Doesn't Always Look Like Sadness: Perinatal and postpartum depression can manifest as extreme irritability, hostility, snapping, and yelling over minor incidents rather than just tearfulness or isolation.

• Driven by Overstimulation and Unmet Needs: Rage is rarely a standalone issue; it is typically a combination of extreme sleep deprivation, sensory burnout, and unmet basic needs like adequate nutrition, rest, or feeling seen and validated.

• Don't Wait for a Crisis to Get Help: You do not need to be in an absolute crisis to benefit from mental health support; seeking out a therapist early makes navigating care much easier and helps you recover before reaching a breaking point.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

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