Postpartum Anxiety Test
Questions: 72 · 10 minutes
1. When I try to relax, anxious thoughts quickly return.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
2. In the past 2 weeks, my shoulders, neck, or jaw have felt clenched or sore from tension.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
3. I overthink whether I am doing things “right” as a parent.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
4. I feel “on edge” or easily annoyed much of the time.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
5. I have trouble falling back asleep after my baby wakes, even when my baby settles quickly.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
6. In the past 2 weeks, I have had headaches that seem related to stress or tension.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
7. In the past 2 weeks, I have noticed tightness in my chest when I feel anxious.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
8. I feel mentally stuck on the same worries, even when I know they may be unlikely.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
9. My mind replays “what if something happens?” thoughts about my baby.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
10. In the past 2 weeks, my body has felt exhausted from being tense, even if I haven’t done much physically.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
11. My worries feel intrusive, like they pop into my mind without permission.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
12. I snap or speak more sharply than I intend (with my partner, family, or others).
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
13. In the past 2 weeks, I have had a hard time relaxing my muscles even when I try.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
14. In the past 2 weeks, I have had muscle aches or soreness that feels connected to stress.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
15. Small issues (a spit-up, a cry, a rash) trigger a chain of worried thoughts for me.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
16. I repeatedly think about whether something I ate, did, or didn’t do could affect my baby.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
17. In the past 2 weeks, my breathing has felt shallow, fast, or difficult when I’m stressed.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
18. I worry about my baby’s feeding, growth, or sleep more than feels reasonable to me.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
19. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt physically “keyed up,” on edge, or wound tight.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
20. I worry about making a mistake that could permanently affect my baby.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
21. Because I’m not sleeping well, I feel more emotionally reactive during the day.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
22. Even when my baby is asleep, my mind stays active with worries.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
23. I avoid sleeping because I feel I need to keep checking on my baby.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
24. I feel like I need to mentally plan for every possible emergency.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
25. My irritability makes it harder for me to bond or enjoy time with my baby.
Not at all
A little
Quite a bit
Very much
26. I wake up suddenly with a jolt of worry (even when nothing is wrong).
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
27. I wake up feeling unrefreshed because anxiety interrupts the quality of my sleep.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
28. I feel physically tense (tight shoulders, clenched jaw, restlessness) when I try to sleep.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
29. My worries about sleep (for me or the baby) make bedtime feel stressful rather than restful.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
30. I become frustrated with myself when I can’t sleep, which then keeps me awake longer.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
31. In the past 2 weeks, even when the baby is sleeping, my body has had a hard time settling down to rest.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
32. In the past 2 weeks, I have noticed trembling, shakiness, or internal “jitters.”
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
33. I have trouble focusing because my thoughts keep drifting back to worries.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
34. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt tense or “tight” in my body for much of the day.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
35. I spend a lot of time imagining worst-case scenarios about my baby or family.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
36. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt a “knot” in my stomach or butterflies from worry.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
37. Once a worry starts, it can take a long time for me to calm my mind.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
38. I feel guilty afterward because my irritability comes out at the people around me.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
39. When I try to rest, I feel too keyed up or agitated to settle my body.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
40. In the past 2 weeks, I have noticed tingling or numbness in my hands, feet, or face when I’m very tense.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
41. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt sweaty, hot, or flushed when I’m anxious (not just from normal postpartum changes).
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
42. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt lightheaded or dizzy when I’m anxious.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
43. I mentally review what I did earlier to see if I missed something that could harm my baby.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
44. Worry keeps me from napping when I have the opportunity.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
45. In the past 2 weeks, I have had trouble falling asleep because my body feels tense or wired.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
46. Because I’m tired and anxious, I struggle to cope with everyday tasks (meals, hygiene, errands).
Not at all
A little
Quite a bit
Very much
47. In the past 2 weeks, I have had nausea or an upset stomach when I feel anxious.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
48. I get caught in loops of thinking about problems without reaching solutions.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
49. In the past 2 weeks, my hands have felt cold, clammy, or sweaty when I’m worried.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
50. I worry that if I’m not constantly vigilant, something bad will happen.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
51. I feel more short-tempered when I’m worried, even if I’m trying to hide it.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
52. My sleep feels light or restless because I’m on alert for something bad to happen.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
53. My lack of sleep makes it harder to think clearly or make decisions during the day.
Not at all
A little
Quite a bit
Very much
54. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt like I needed to keep moving, checking, or doing something to calm my nerves.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
55. In the past 2 weeks, I have startled easily (for example, at sudden noises or movement).
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
56. In the past 2 weeks, my heart has raced or pounded when I felt worried or stressed.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
57. Even after I check on my baby, I keep doubting whether everything is okay.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
58. Small noises or movements from my baby make it hard for me to relax enough to sleep again.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
59. I have a hard time being patient with normal baby fussiness or crying.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
60. My thoughts race from one worry to another throughout the day.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
61. I find it hard to stop thinking about potential dangers (choking, illness, accidents).
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
62. I worry excessively about my baby’s health even when nothing seems wrong.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
63. I find myself thinking, “What if I can’t handle this?”
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
64. I find myself searching for reassurance (online or from others) because I can’t settle my worries.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
65. I get irritated quickly when things don’t go as planned with my baby (feeding, naps, soothing).
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
66. In the past 2 weeks, I have been restless and found it hard to sit still.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
67. Even when my baby is asleep and I have the chance to rest, I struggle to fall asleep because my mind won’t slow down.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
68. I lie awake replaying worries about my baby or my parenting.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
69. I check the monitor, breathing, or sleeping position repeatedly in a way that disrupts my own rest.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
70. In the past 2 weeks, I have noticed a dry mouth or a lump in my throat when I feel anxious.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
71. I keep thinking about what could go wrong when I leave my baby with someone else.
Not at all true
A little true
Mostly true
Very true
72. In the past 2 weeks, I have found myself clenching my fists, stomach, or jaw without meaning to.
Not at all true
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true