Postpartum Rage and the Myth of the ‘Chill Mom’: Finding Freedom in Therapy in Houston, TX

When people picture postpartum struggles, they often think of sadness, tears, or fatigue. But what about rage?

The kind of rage that bubbles under the surface all day and explodes when you spill breast milk on the floor. The kind that makes you yell at your partner over nothing—or everything. The kind that leaves you ashamed, asking, “What is wrong with me?”

As a therapist who offers postpartum counseling in Houston, TX, I want to say this clearly:
Postpartum rage is real. You are not crazy. And you are not alone.

The Myth of the "Chill Mom"

There’s enormous pressure on mothers to be soft, smiling, and endlessly patient. Social media is filled with breezy captions and filtered photos of moms who seem to "go with the flow." Even in real life, there’s often an unspoken competition to be the most easygoing, least ruffled version of motherhood.

But here’s the truth:

Motherhood is intense. It is physically exhausting, emotionally overwhelming, and logistically nonstop. And if you’re experiencing postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, or trauma—rage can be a natural byproduct of that internal chaos.

The expectation to be the “chill mom” only fuels the guilt when we fall short.

What Postpartum Rage Really Looks Like

Postpartum rage can show up in a lot of different ways, and it doesn’t always look like a screaming meltdown. Often, it builds up slowly and comes out in flashes:

• Snapping at your toddler for making a mess

• Resenting your partner for breathing too loudly

• Feeling like you're about to lose it because someone left the dishwasher open

• Clenching your jaw all day, feeling like you're about to explode

Rage in the postpartum period is often a symptom of deeper distress—usually connected to postpartum depression, anxiety, or unmet emotional needs.

Many of the mothers I support through PPD therapy in Houston, TX describe their anger as scary, even to themselves. They say things like:

“This isn’t me.”
“I’ve never been this angry before.”
“I’m afraid of how out of control I feel.”

If this resonates, it’s not a sign that you’re broken—it’s a sign that something needs attention and care.

The Root Causes of Postpartum Rage

While everyone’s story is different, here are a few common factors I see in my work as a holistic therapist for mothers in Houston:

1. Hormonal Shifts

Fluctuating levels of estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin can deeply impact your mood and ability to self-regulate—especially if you're also dealing with sleep deprivation.

2. Unspoken (and Unfair) Expectations

You’re expected to keep the baby alive, maintain a household, manage your relationships, and somehow still be “yourself.” That mental load? It’s a recipe for emotional overload.

3. Lack of Support

Whether it’s physical help or emotional understanding, many new moms don’t have what they need. And when your needs go unmet, resentment builds.

4. History of Anxiety or Trauma

If you have a personal or family history of anxiety, depression, or trauma, the postpartum period can re-activate those old wounds—sometimes in surprising ways.

How Therapy Helps You Break the Cycle

If you’re struggling with postpartum rage, therapy can be a powerful path toward healing. At my practice, I offer counseling for new mothers in Houston, TX that helps you:

• Understand the root causes of your anger

• Learn emotional regulation skills that work in real life—not just in theory

• Rebuild connection with yourself, your child, and your partner

• Work through underlying depression, anxiety, or trauma that may be fueling your rage

• Create a life that actually supports your mental and emotional needs—not just your to-do list

I take a holistic approach to therapy, integrating body, mind, and environment. That means we talk about nervous system regulation, sleep, nutrition, boundaries, relationships, and identity—all of it matters in your healing.

What Freedom Can Look Like

Imagine waking up without a knot in your stomach.
Imagine having a hard day with your toddler—and not feeling like you’re about to scream.
Imagine being able to ask for help without shame.
Imagine feeling like yourself again.

Freedom from postpartum rage doesn’t mean you’ll never feel angry. It means your anger won’t control you. It means you can respond instead of react. It means you’ll trust yourself again.

You're Not Failing—You're Feeling

Anger is often a messenger. It tells us when something isn’t working, when something hurts, when something needs to change.

You are not a bad mother for feeling rage. You’re a mother who’s stretched thin, trying to carry too much without enough support.

You don’t have to carry it alone anymore.

Ready to Start Counseling for New Mothers in Houston, TX?

If you’re in the Houston area and looking for postpartum counseling, I’d be honored to support you. Whether you’re dealing with PPD, anxiety, rage, grief, or just feeling overwhelmed and disconnected—I’m here.

Therapy is not about fixing you. It’s about helping you remember that you were never broken.

Let’s talk. Let’s make space for your rage—and your healing.

Sarah Duran, LPC-associate
Postpartum Counselor | Holistic Therapist for Mothers in Houston

More Support for You and Your Family at Sarah Duran Psychotherapy

Postpartum rage can be one of the most isolating parts of new parenthood—but you don’t have to face them in silence. At Sarah Duran Psychotherapy, we offer compassionate, nonjudgmental care for postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the hidden emotional struggles so many parents carry. In addition to working with a postpartum therapist in Houston, TX, you can find support for birth trauma, fertility grief, and the complex realities of parenthood long after the early weeks have passed. However scary your thoughts may feel, you are not alone—and help is here when you're ready.