Postpartum rage causes sudden bursts of anger that are difficult to control. If it happens frequently, it can impact your well-being and your ability to care for your baby.
On its own, postpartum rage isn’t a diagnosable mental health condition. But if it happens frequently, it could be a sign of postpartum depression or another condition.
A postpartum rage quiz isn’t a replacement for a professional evaluation. However, it can give you insight into your experiences and know when it might be time to ask for help.
If you recently had a baby, life might feel a little upside down. The early days with a newborn can be an exciting but challenging time, and you might be experiencing some strong emotions. This might be from shifting hormones, sleep deprivation, or feeling overwhelmed. But for most people, these feelings won’t last forever. Some birth-giving parents, though, develop something called postpartum rage, which may be cause for concern.
Postpartum rage involves strong bursts of intense anger that can be hard to control. You might feel like yelling, breaking something, or like the littlest annoyance sets you off. This volatility can make it difficult for you to care for yourself and your little one. It can also, in some cases, be a sign of a mental health condition like postpartum depression or another concern, which may require professional support.
If you’re concerned you might be experiencing postpartum rage, know you’re not alone and that help is available. The following quiz, while not a substitute for a professional evaluation, can help you identify the signs of postpartum rage. Your results can provide the insights you need to know when to seek support.
Take the postpartum rage quiz
Before starting the quiz, see if you can find a quiet, private space where you won’t be interrupted. We know that as a new parent, this can be hard to do! But it’s important to give yourself time and space to thoughtfully answer the questions.
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. Just choose answers that best reflect your experience the majority of the time.
1. Do you feel resentful toward others around you?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
2. Do you experience sudden intense waves of anger or irritability?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
3. Do you find that small triggers lead you to have big emotional reactions?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
4. Do mistakes or minor inconveniences feel unbearable or unacceptable?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
5. Do you have difficulty calming down once your anger or irritability are triggered?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
6. Do you find yourself yelling or getting mad at others more than you’d like?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
7. Do you experience guilt or shame after an emotional outburst but have trouble stopping it from happening again?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
8. Do you feel emotionally out of control when anger bubbles up?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
9. Do you experience physical tension, like a tight jaw, tense shoulders, or headaches?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
10. Do you experience thoughts like, “I can’t do this anymore,” when things feel challenging?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
11. Have others started to tiptoe around your feelings for fear of an outburst?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
12. Do your close relationships feel strained?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
13. Do you sometimes get so upset or angry that you’re unable to care for your baby?
a. Nearly every day
b. A few days of the week
c. Rarely/never
Scoring:
Mostly “nearly every day”: You’re likely experiencing postpartum rage.
Mostly “a few days of the week”: You may be experiencing some aspects of postpartum rage.
Mostly “rarely/never”: You’re probably not experiencing postpartum rage.
Quiz content written by Lolly Coleman, MS, LMFT.
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What your test results mean
A team of therapists with deep expertise in postpartum mental health developed this quiz. It was informed by a combination of their clinical experience along with formal assessments. While the quiz can’t replace a formal evaluation, your results can help uncover whether you’re living with postpartum rage or not. The following information can help you interpret your results.
Nearly every day
This result indicates it’s highly likely that you’re experiencing postpartum rage. If frequent anger is making it difficult to function or care for yourself or your baby, don’t hesitate to ask for help.*
On its own, postpartum rage isn’t a mental health condition. But if it’s chronic and severe, it can be a sign of a serious concern like postpartum depression. Postpartum rage — or underlying conditions — can be managed with the right support. With therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication (that’s safe for you and your baby), you can get your anger under control.
*The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support with trained crisis counselors. If you or a loved one is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.
A few days of the week
This result indicates that you’re likely experiencing mild or moderate postpartum rage. It might not happen every day, but it could occur several days of the week. Depending on the severity, it might be something you can manage on your own with some self-care and lifestyle changes. For example, getting more sleep (easier said than done, we know) or hiring a babysitter so you can have some regular alone time may help.
However, you don’t have to experience severe or daily postpartum rage to seek outside support. You may still benefit from reaching out to a therapist, support group, or other resources.
Rarely/never
This result indicates that you’re probably not experiencing postpartum rage. But chances are, if you took this quiz, you might be experiencing some strong postpartum emotions. It’s completely normal to feel frazzled, easily frustrated, or not like yourself after having a baby.
Try to have patience with yourself during this time, and look for ways to strengthen your support system. This could mean joining a group for new parents, carving out some time for a hobby you enjoy, or working with a therapist.
Therapy helps parents experiencing postpartum anger by providing a safe space to process overwhelming feelings, reduce shame, and learn practical strategies to regain emotional control and respond more calmly.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Clinical reviewer
Find care with Rula
If you’re experiencing frequent episodes of sudden, intense anger that are difficult to control, taking a postpartum rage quiz can help you better understand your experiences and know when to ask for help. Postpartum rage isn’t a postpartum mental health condition on its own, but it can be a symptom of one. And fortunately, it can be managed with the right support.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Ashley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in generational healing and family dynamics. Ashley has worked in schools, clinics, and in private practice. She believes that people’s relationships, including our relationship with ourselves, greatly shape our experiences in life.
Ashley is committed to empowering others to show up authentically and deepen their self understanding. This passion stems from taking a critical lens on her own life story and doing inner healing. One of her favorite quotes is “Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.”
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