ABSTRACT
Even a hint of misgiving in the mind of a postpartum therapist can indicate that something is getting in the way of holding. There are countless explanations for early disconnects in psychotherapy, but with respect to the needs of postpartum women, holding is hampered by one of two sources. It is important to remember that a postpartum woman in distress cannot distinguish between her symptoms and who she is. She believes her distorted thoughts. She believes she is a bad mother. She may believe that a person is not in a position to change that. Whether it is a case of nervous energy or full-blown panic attack, anxiety can be immensely disconcerting. It is pervasive. It can be harsh, breathless, agonizing, provocative, loud, intrusive, and alarming. A postpartum woman with the profound depressive symptoms feels hopeless yet longs for help.
