What Is Postpartum Rage? The Overlooked Symptom Every New Mom Should Know
“Why Am I So Angry?” – Let’s Talk About Postpartum Rage
If you're a new mom and you've found yourself thinking, "Why am I so angry all the time?" — you're not alone. And you’re definitely not crazy.
We hear a lot about postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA), which is great—those conversations are finally starting to get the attention they deserve. But there’s another postpartum experience that hardly anyone talks about: postpartum rage.
And it can hit like a freight train.
So… What Is Postpartum Rage?
It’s that moment you slam the dishwasher shut because your partner left the cups in the sink again.
It’s when your baby won’t nap and you feel this heat rise up in your chest, and you just want to scream into a pillow.
It’s when you’re so overwhelmed that everything feels like too much—and then the guilt hits, hard.
Postpartum rage isn’t just “having a short fuse.” It’s big, sometimes explosive anger that can catch you totally off guard. And while it’s not talked about as much, it’s actually pretty common.
In fact, in one study, over one in three mothers reported experiencing intense anger in the first year postpartum. But because we don’t often call it by name—or even realize it’s a thing—most moms are just left thinking: What’s wrong with me?
Why Don’t We Talk About It?
Because angry moms make people uncomfortable.
We’re expected to be soft, nurturing, and endlessly patient. So when rage shows up, it feels like we’re failing some kind of unspoken “good mom” test. The shame around maternal anger is real. And when you combine that with hormones, exhaustion, identity shifts, and the mental load of motherhood—it’s a perfect storm.
But here’s the truth:
Postpartum rage is often a symptom of postpartum anxiety or depression—but it can also stand alone. It’s a sign your nervous system is overloaded. And it deserves attention and care, just like PPD and PPA.
What It Feels Like (Sound Familiar?)
You lose it over things that wouldn’t have bothered you before
You feel like you’re constantly simmering, waiting to boil over
You’re snapping at your partner or your other kids
You feel totally out of control in the moment—then feel ashamed afterward
You’re exhausted, but still wound up inside
You’re wondering, “Is this just me?”
Nope. It’s not just you. It’s a thing, and you are not alone.
So What Can You Do About It?
First—breathe. Then remind yourself: you are not a bad mom. You are a human being going through one of the most intense transitions of your life.
Here are a few places to start:
🔹 Talk about it — With your doctor, a therapist, a friend who won’t judge. Naming what you’re feeling is powerful.
🔹 Know the signs — Rage can be a red flag for anxiety, depression, or burnout. The more you understand it, the less scary it feels.
🔹 Find support — That could be a support group, a postpartum therapist, or just someone who will hold the baby while you cry in the shower. (No shame.)
🔹 Give yourself grace — You’re carrying so much. It’s okay to not handle it all perfectly.
You Deserve to Be Okay, Too
If this post sounds like your inner monologue lately, just know: you are not broken. You are not the only one slamming doors or holding back tears after bedtime. Postpartum rage doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you a mom who’s overwhelmed and in need of support.
Let’s stop pretending moms only struggle with sadness or anxiety. Sometimes, it’s rage. And it’s real.
And most importantly: it’s treatable. You’re not stuck here.
Let’s keep talking about it.