Intrusive thoughts

[Mumtotwoxo]

I have just had a baby 10 weeks ago. I was doing well apart from small panic attacks from my anxiety that I’ve suffered with for years. The other day out the blue I started having intense panic attacks where I can’t sleep and intrusive thoughts that are extremely scary and real. I feel like a bad mum. Has anyone suffered this too? Reached out to my gp and now referred to a MH nurse.

@Meadowsalways hi there, firstly I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this currently. How old is your little one?
It does get better I can guarantee that but it takes time, medication will take full effect in upcoming weeks and I’d advice you to read some books regarding intrusive thoughts, negative thinking. This really helped me to know I wasn’t alone.
Do you have support of any kind? X

@Meadowsalways your not going crazy, and it does get better. It’s grim when you’re in the middle of it, but honestly it will go. You’ve had a baby a
nd a hell of a lot of hormonal changes, on top of which you’re knackered and scared. I’m amazed more people don’t end up like us! Oh and you would be amazed at how many people do have irrational thoughts etc. So first off, it’s okay you won’t go crazy. Make sure you get as much rest as you can. Sertraline is better to be titrated slowly. It will help but needs a wee bit of time.
Claire Weeks books are very old but they’re good if you can find them.
💐

@Meadowsalways message anytime I’m happy to chat. You are not alone!
The medication will work but instead of trying to increase it too quickly please bare with it and give it time to work. I’m on fluxotine and it does work. Eventually you’ll start to notice the thoughts easing away. Don’t fight the thought let it pass through, show it no significance.
The main book I was hooked on is the Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive thoughts by Sally M. Winston.

please don’t use google to look for support as this just feeds into the thoughts and shows them importance. Hold tight it does get better x

Sorry that you are experiencing this @Meadowsalways - I experienced very severe intrusive thoughts as well as more irrational thoughts. For example I convinced myself that my daughter looked like a girl I didn’t like from school! Totally, totally irrational but it felt very real. I can recommend the book ‘The Imp of the Mind’ which normalises intrusive thoughts. Particularly good for anyone who has shame attached to their thoughts. The nature of my issues have meant recovery has been long, but I do experience joy and have my mind (mostly) back to myself. I have been on Sertraline for two years, highest dose for a year but now feeling as though I might be able to reduce. Which is massive, as I thought I’d been on it for life. Sending hope and strength to anyone else who is reading this and struggling to the extreme. I’ve been there - hang on and keep going.

@Meadowsalways hi there! Just checking in to see how you're doing? X