When did you know it was time to get help - anxiety/meds

[Everywhereaquackquack]

Wondering when you knew you needed to get help for anxiety or to try medication?

I woke up this morning after a good nights sleep. On maternity leave so packed up the car to come spend the day with my parents. Had a lovely breakfast outside on patio with DH and baby. House spotless, washing all done. I’ve been healthy eating and lost a stone and had a birthday party last week so my hair is done nails done etc and I feel I look good.

yet I spent the entire morning trying to breathe and telling myself I’m ok. I’m ok. I’m ok.

I am ok!!!! Everything is great yet I’ve been absolutely gripped by anxiety since I stopped breastfeeding 3 months ago. I do suffer from anxiety but generally when there is something wrong or health anxiety and I’ve usually got a good handle on it.

I now have a heavy head, feel dizzy and pins and needles in my leg.

I'm afraid to go on medication and I want to try get pregnant again soon. But if I keep having to tell myself I’m ok maybe I’m not and I need to do something about it?

Hey lovely,

I've been through horrendous anxiety and can tell you at what point I reached a decision to take medication.

May well be very different scenario to you but if it helps, it helps!

My anxiety started with trouble sleeping, nightmares and then panic attacks. I also had days where I was so anxious I just couldn't think straight and that just fuelled even more anxiety as I then stressed about my work etc. I was going through an awful awful separation and then divorce at the time with two kids under 4.

Eventually I reached the point where it was just so exhausting and the anxiety went from waves to being my permanent state of mind. I reached a point where I just couldn't function, and didn't even have the energy to stand in the shower at the end of the day. That was the point I got help. I ended up taking beta blockers - unlike anti depressants you can pop them when you need them, they slow your heart rate and ward off that adrenaline hit that comes with anxious thoughts and often leads to panic attack. I took them twice a day at first, and then progressed to popping one when I felt that tight chest anxious feeling.

I also had some therapy and now I'm all good! The pills helped, maybe psychologically as I felt I had something in my pocket that would help when the anxiety hit. But it was the therapy that helped me deal with curbing the spiralling feelings and nipping things in the bud before they worsened.

My advice would be to try and find some solutions now. Find ways to ease those anxious moments - maybe take a walk, or sit and figure out what's causing you to feel that way, write them down, make a to do list, ask someone to help tick things off the list, talk it out with someone - anything! Just don't let it fester :)

Having a baby is a lot! Be kind to yourself - don't put too much pressure on yourself to lose weight or achieve a million things all in one day. You're already achieving a tonne just being a mama for the day, trust me!

Really hope you feel better soon x

I’d get a blood test to rule out things like vitamin deficiencies or thyroid issues as these can make you feel physically anxious.