Need some advice about anxiety and treatment options etc.

[anxiousmumof2]

I had PND (or maybe PTSD) after dd1 but didn't acknowledge anything was wrong for a long time. Eventually my dsis intervened and got me an appointment with a counsellor.

I went several times and found she really helped by just letting me talk it all out with her with no judgements etc. She was the one who mentioned possible PTSD because I had hyperemesis and worried constantly through the pregnancy and then went on to have a very fast labour and delivery, something I hadn't even considered.

Unfortunately I was seeing her privately and we couldn't afford to keep paying so as I was feeling better I stopped going.

Shortly after I became pregnant with dc2 and had a much better pregnancy.

I feel I am no longer depressed but am very anxious a lot of the time. I can't switch off ever and hate to leave the children even for a short time.

I hate them to get even the slightest bump and always over react.

I am co-sleeping with both of them as I can't sleep at all with them away from me.

It is having a bad effect with my relationship with my DH and I think it also interferes with his relationship with the children.

Has anyone any experience of this kind of anxiety? It is mainly focused on the children.

Is it something that therapy could help or medications?

[cheapskatemum]

Your GP should be able to refer you to couselling that you don't have to pay for. I received 6 hourly sessions (one a week)free of charge when I was suffering from stress/anxiety earlier in the year. It doesn't sound like much, but they were an immense help and the counsellor also recommended some websites which use a CBT approach to conquering anxiety.