Is It Matrescence or Depression? What Every New Mother Should Know

I feel overwhelmed, emotional, and sometimes I don't even recognize myself anymore — am I depressed?

Sometimes, after a thorough assessment, the answer is yes. But often, what women are experiencing is actually the normal — though intensely challenging — process of matrescence, the developmental transition of becoming a mother.

Understanding the difference between normal matrescence and postpartum depression isn't just an academic distinction — it has profound implications for how we support new mothers. Recent research highlighted in a compelling article by Caroppo, Schiavone, and Mauri (2024) emphasizes why this distinction matters and why all perinatal healthcare providers should be integrating the concept of matrescence into their practice.

Matrescence: The Normative Brain and Identity Transformation

Matrescence describes the developmental process of becoming a mother — a transition as profound as adolescence but far less recognized in our culture. This process involves significant neurobiological, psychological, and social changes that are normal, expected aspects of maternal development:

Neurobiological Changes

The maternal brain undergoes remarkable adaptations during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including:

• Structural changes in regions governing emotional processing, threat detection, and caregiving motivation
• Functional changes in reward pathways that enhance responsiveness to infant cues
• Hormonal fluctuations that facilitate attachment and caregiving behaviors

These changes aren't signs of dysfunction — they're purposeful adaptations that support maternal care.

Identity Transformation

Matrescence also involves a profound psychological reorganization as women integrate their maternal identity with their pre-existing sense of self. This process naturally involves:

• Grief for aspects of pre-motherhood identity that feel temporarily lost
• Ambivalence about new roles and responsibilities
• Recalibration of priorities and values
• Uncertainty about one's competence in this new role

These feelings don't indicate pathology — they reflect the normal psychological work of identity integration during a major life transition.

Importantly "normal" does not mean "easy."

Similar to matrescence, adolescence is "normal" but it is often a very challenging period of normal teenage development. At tara we encourage women to embrace the "and" — what I'm experiencing is a normal part of motherhood and it is one of the hardest times of my life.

Signs That Your Experience May Go Beyond Matrescence

While validating the challenges of matrescence, it's equally important to recognize when additional support is needed. Consider seeking professional evaluation if you experience:

• Persistent feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, or despair that don't lift
• Intrusive thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
• Inability to sleep even when your baby is sleeping
• Complete loss of interest in activities that would normally bring pleasure
• Intense anxiety or panic attacks
• Feeling unable to bond with or care for your baby

Remember, acknowledging the developmental process of matrescence doesn't minimize the real challenges of this transition — it contextualizes them within a framework that honors the profound transformation that becoming a mother truly is.