To be scared.

[Faithless12]

Right I don't know if this is the right place but here goes, sorry if it's long.

I'm a dog lover have had dogs most if not all of my life so not normally scared of them. A few weeks ago my dog was attacked while on the lead, DH was there with DS so he let go of the pram and separated the dogs and held them apart (read held the other dog, our dog is the biggest wimp ever) until the other owner got his dog and put it on a lead. Normally I just act and help, never flinched when separating a German Shepard and another dog before but this time I froze which has made me a bit unsure of myself.
Later on that night while DH was at the vet with our dog I was home alone with DS and I started to get really light headed and like curtains were closing over my eyes so had to sit down for a while this went away.

Anyway so now, I'm terrified to go places with DS by myself, I don't even think its about dogs but I'm jumpy with dogs which isn't like me at all. I've been having nightmares where dogs attack and I've had to cower over DS, but also nightmares were DS is hurt and I can't help him.

I think I've been suffering from postnatal anxiety as my fear of DS getting hurt isn't a new one but the fear is worse now, not sure if I'm making sense at all. Will this fear pass or should I seek help?

Sound like some sort of panic attack. Sometimes that happens if you have other stress going on in your life as well, and it builds up. Sounds like the dog incident tipped the balance. I'd try and get some help to manage that. I went through a phase of having them but managed to get them under control after a few months, luckily. It's not pleasant that's for sure but it is possible to take back control.

How old is your DS?

I remember when DD was a couple of weeks old I took her for a walk around the park in her buggy. A pitbull & its owner were walking towards us & I couldn't help imagining all the terrible scenarios that could happen. I was thinking of ways to kill this dog if he tried to attack her! Like, literally checking the change bag for potential dog killing equipment :) and I really like dogs! Anyway she's 2 now, I haven't killed any dogs & rarely think about it when I see them. I think it's just part of your survival instincts.

You had a nasty scare when that dog attacked yours, making it worse for you, perfectly understandable that you feel like you do. You're not going crazy :)

DS is 10 months. It's weird as the older he's got the worse my fears are. I really don't want DS to pick up on my anxiety and develop a fear of dogs.

It doesn't sound to me like you are scared of dogs in general, just that you feel over protective of your DS (as well you should! Who wouldn't?) and this episode got you stressed. I am sure you will feel a bit calmer when you pass the next dog you meet without incident.