Meaning: 'Debilitating' means causing a reduction in strength or effectiveness, often leading to significant distress or incapacity.

Wrong options:

• imaginative: 'Imaginative' refers to creativity or inventiveness, which does not relate to the context of overwhelming feelings.
• betrayed: 'Betrayed' implies a sense of being wronged or deceived, which does not fit the emotional context of anxiety and worry.
• disguised: 'Disguised' means concealed or hidden, which does not accurately describe the nature of overwhelming feelings.

Correct answer: although

Explanation: The word 'although' serves as a conjunction that introduces a contrast, indicating that while postnatal anxiety is different from postnatal depression, they can still occur together, fitting well within the grammatical structure of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Although' means 'in spite of the fact that' and is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously.

Wrong options:

• as: 'As' suggests a reason or cause, which does not convey the contrasting relationship intended in this context.
• once: 'Once' indicates a time-related condition, which does not fit the context of contrasting two conditions.
• where: 'Where' typically refers to a place or situation, which does not appropriately connect the two clauses in this context.

Correct answer: symptoms

Explanation: The word 'symptoms' is appropriate as it refers to the physical manifestations of postnatal anxiety, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence that describes the condition's characteristics.

Meaning: 'Symptoms' are signs or indications of a condition or disease, in this case, the physical effects of postnatal anxiety.

Wrong options:

• variations: 'Variations' implies differences or changes, which does not accurately describe the physical manifestations of anxiety.
• trends: 'Trends' refers to general directions in which something is developing or changing, which is not relevant to the context of individual experiences of anxiety.
• alleviations: 'Alleviations' means reductions in severity, which contradicts the context of describing the negative aspects of postnatal anxiety.

Correct answer: causes

Explanation: The word 'causes' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to the factors that contribute to postnatal anxiety, aligning with the discussion of understanding the condition's origins.

Meaning: 'Causes' are the reasons or factors that lead to a particular condition or situation, in this case, the factors contributing to postnatal anxiety.

Wrong options:

• breaks: 'Breaks' refers to interruptions or pauses, which does not relate to the discussion of factors contributing to a condition.
• intervals: 'Intervals' suggests periods of time between events, which does not fit the context of discussing causative factors.
• consequences: 'Consequences' refers to the results or effects of an action, which is the opposite of what is being discussed regarding the origins of postnatal anxiety.

Correct answer: seek

Explanation: The word 'seek' is appropriate as it indicates the action of looking for help, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence that discusses options available for those needing assistance.

Meaning: 'Seek' means to look for or try to obtain something, in this case, help for postnatal anxiety.

Wrong options:

• offer: 'Offer' means to present or provide something, which does not fit the context of individuals looking for help.
• forsee: 'Forsee' means to predict or anticipate, which does not relate to the action of looking for help.
• ponder: 'Ponder' means to think about something carefully, which does not convey the action of actively seeking assistance.