New Mum struggling with anxiety!!!

[LHood]

Hello! I’m 22 years old and gave birth to my beautiful baby girl 16 weeks ago tomorrow. Since I had my little girl I have been REALLY struggling with anxiety. I constantly think about all the bad things that could happen and constantly worry about mine and my babies health. It’s getting so bad that I can’t sleep and it’s completely taking over my life. When I’m with my partner or other people it isn’t bad. The minute I’m on my own, or in the evening. Just wondered if anyone else felt like this? I just want to feel normal and go a day without worrying about bad things happening 😭 thanks x

Have you had anxiety problems before? I had quite a few problems when I was younger which had been much better before I had my dc but it returned with a vengeance when my ds was born. I still have some anxiety but it has improved over time (ds is almost 5).

I have suffered before, just never this bad!! It’s getting ridiculous x

I remember this after my DC were born. I discussed it with the HV who reassured me it was perfectly normal. Speak to your HV and GP. You need to get these feelings out in the open. I had counselling after DC2 which I found really helpful.

I think a certain level of anxiety around these things is completely normal at this point, however if its really affecting day to day life, your unable to control your thoughts etc then its probably past the normal level. Anxiety as youve described can come under the umbrella of PND and is incredibly common, I had it myself and realised around the same point as you are now when I couldnt stop my brain from whirring (had episodes of anxiety that was very well controlled before baby with medication and cbt). Spoke to my HV who was incredible and so supportive in contexualising my thoughts, had a very slight increase in my medication that helped. As we live away from family I pulled on any support we could get when we could get it to have quality rest (baby had reflux and colic ) and my husband really chipped in with nights etc and just getting a rest really helped too. Those first few months are really really full on so don't underestimate the effect of hormones, sleep deprivation, changes in relationships etc on your mental health.

Good news is that the earlier you seek help the quicker you get better & if your HV thinks its more than just 'normal' anxiety then you can usually be referred quickly to specialist peri/postnatal mental health teams or prioritised for counselling.

Good luck in your new role as a mummy, its hard but gets easier and easier as time goes on and your brain wont work overtime forever! X