Postpartum Rage Among BIPOC Women: What Clinicians Can Do to Help

2 Hours | 2 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Postpartum Rage Among BIPOC Women: What Clinicians Can Do to Help is presented by S Anandavalli, PhD.

Current mental health research pays scant attention to postpartum rage, or intense and sustained anger experienced by individuals after giving birth. Often, these emotionally draining episodes of anger are reduced to singular and superficial explanations such as “hormonal changes” or the birthing individual being ”overly emotional.” However, birth is often a life-altering experience that results in dramatic physiological, sexual, emotional, financial, and professional changes. Scholars have noted that when left untreated, postpartum rage can result in reduced attachment between parent and baby, reduced instances of breastfeeding, and suicidal ideation for the parent, among other mental health challenges.

Furthermore, postpartum rage can result in attachment ruptures, leaving the birthing individual even more psychologically lonely during a significant life event. Birthing individuals also report experiencing guilt, shame, and feelings of unworthiness as a result of their postpartum rage. These myriad challenges are often contextualized by limited systemic and relational support structures, such as pressure to return to full-time paid employment or reduce/lose pregnancy weight, expensive and often unreliable child-care, and limited access to health care services, including mental health care.

This program helps attendees identify postpartum rage in their clients. Participants receive helpful tools and techniques to address this mental health challenge in their clients. They will also receive treatment options in tackling postpartum rage. Lastly, the presenters discuss in detail how sociocultural factors such as race, gender, and immigration impact the experience and expression of postpartum rage. The program also includes two case demonstrations that include how to establish culturally appropriate rapport with clients experiencing post-partum rage and facilitating treatment of the same.