To think, maybe something is wrong? PNA

[Tiggytigert]

Im 7 months PP -

I am living in a constant state of anxiety. Whether it's one thing or another, I'm constantly anxious about something. It's my DC's breathing or it's eating solid foods (which sometimes reduces me to tears because I think I should let DC get on and do it alone but at the same time I absolutely freak if a piece to big is bitten off) I worry about head size all the way to sleep apnea.

Im just fucking ridiculous. I feel ridiculous.

I love DC so much that I'm SO worried I'm going to fail and feel like I'm fairly certain I'm already there.

Typing this, i know something isn't right but DH is adamant there's nothing wrong and that it's just normal mum worrying, he brought it up at the in laws the other day and now I feel even more ridiculous.

Im just feeling like maybe my worries aren't really worries at all, or maybe, every single mother worries about this and I'm just over playing it in my head.

Has anyone here had/suffered/overcome PNA (post natal anxiety)? Are these common symptoms? 😢

I suffered from post natal anxiety.
It does sound to me like you are showing symptoms (am not a medical person at all)
I think you would benefit from a chat with your GP as it can be helped through therapy and medication.
I mean this next bit kindly but no It's not normal to be this worried about everything. It is normal to worry a bit but not about absolutely everything. That said, there's nothing 'wrong' with you, your hormones are just a bit out of whack.
It's exhausting. Please do call your GP or HV and take care of yourself.

You're not a failure. You're not ridiculous. I really feel for you.

I think some worry and anxiety does come with the territory. It's a lot of responsibility to keep our children alive and well and we are constantly fed horror stories by the media too which only exacerbates it.

But if it's stopping you from enjoying day to day life then it's a problem and a trip to your GP would be worthwhile.

How was the birth / pregnancy?

CBT counselling (private) helped me.

I've never had children but as someone with run of the mill anxiety, I think it would help you to talk to your GP. This is no way to live.

@Lucygucy This is what I thought, I know mums are bound to worry but literally, it's all I seem to do. I can't focus on anything else some days, I'm filled with it. It really is exhausting 😢 I think I'll make an appointment on Monday, thank you.

@nanbread Thank you, definitely, i am just so concerned about keeping her safe and well, which obviously every parent is! But I feel like it's over coming me, I'm just always on edge around her and her with others. It's not so much stopping it, but definitely being a hinderence. Its mainly around her eating proper food that gets me the most. Pregnancy was a bit rough, i loved the experience but had a lot of complications and I never thought she'd make it and birth was ever so quick and I was, rushed to theatre after losing 2.5 litres of blood and other complications. I'll look into that, thank you ☺️

@ToLiveInPeace Funnily enough, most other aspects of life I'm not too anxious about or was before. But, seems I run every possible scenario in my head! Definitely think its worth it, thank you

It's very common but as a 42 year old whose mum never overcame it, please seek help! It's draining. And I'm sure if my mum had support when I was little my life would be easier now!

@Todaywewilldobetter most definitely, my MIL mentioned that she worried but wasn't overly like it and thought that other mums that were worriers made their children have anxiety disorders which I don't want to pass along, prior to this I'm not a very anxious person (bar phone calls)

I still have to let my mum know when I arrive anywhere longer than a 20 min drive! And she sees random fatality risks in literally everything I do! It's really wearing. I'm the sort who gets in the car without a map and just figures the way which makes it worse! In her head I'm a reckless fool. Im just a normal adult! She projects on to my kids now too.
If she had some kind of therapy earlier on, I'm sure we'd all live easier lives! I don't dismiss it - its real to her. And she literally loses sleep!

I had post natal anxiety too, it was awful. I completely understand. Agree to speak to your GP, but you can get over it.

I saw a post from a mummy blogger that referred to it like mama bear syndrome, it's completely natural for a mother to protect her baby, and like all of nature everyone has different hormone levels, experiences. Made me feel better.

But you're not ridiculous. It's a thing. And you can sort it out. I feel my mum loves me a wee bit too much when it starts to annoy me!

Please see your GP, had a similar traumatic birth then very bad post natal anxiety and it was crippling. Got prescription for sertaline took for 2 years... 4 years on and another DC later no longer have that constant death fear in my mind. It does get better with help!! And as for the DH and in-laws they won't know the extent of how your feeling.

@Todaywewilldobetter I'm sorry to hear it had/has an affect on you and your DC! That's definitely not what I want to be doing, I don't like sit up watching her breathing, but I just can't seem to shake the feeling. Definitely think ill book an appointment! Thank you 🥰 I just ideally don't want to be on any sort of medication and to work through it myself, but, i need to admit it's a problem as it most definitely feels like it!

@sooveritalready Did you need any sort of medication or did you work through it other ways (don't answer if too personal or don't feel you'd like to!) that's a good way to think about it! Just know it's normal to worry about a baby but, i feel like I live in a constant state of anxiety which isn't nice St all x

@Washinglinewench29🌹 sorry to hear that. It's not nice at all is it. I just assumed everyone felt like this, then I read into it and found PNA. I don't feel depressed, want to harm her etc I just feel anxiety ridden all the time. Think some days, I'm even amazed she got here safe, it feels like a dream and I for some reason I'm unsure why can't see a future, which I think scares me the most. I think I need to stop walking on egg shells and try and seek some real help. I said to DH earlier that I just feel like im in a constant state of anxiety and he just patted my back and fell asleep so god knows lol

[quote Tiggytigert]@Todaywewilldobetter I'm sorry to hear it had/has an affect on you and your DC! That's definitely not what I want to be doing, I don't like sit up watching her breathing, but I just can't seem to shake the feeling. Definitely think ill book an appointment! Thank you 🥰 I just ideally don't want to be on any sort of medication and to work through it myself, but, i need to admit it's a problem as it most definitely feels like it!

@sooveritalready Did you need any sort of medication or did you work through it other ways (don't answer if too personal or don't feel you'd like to!) that's a good way to think about it! Just know it's normal to worry about a baby but, i feel like I live in a constant state of anxiety which isn't nice St all x[/quote]
Come back and let us know how you get on.
Xx

I didn't need medication, but did have counselling. I had a few complications in pregnancy, long birth, she was admitted to nicu and was readmitted to hospital a few days later. All small things but they really add up and can impact you. I used to cry and say goodbye to her every time she went to sleep my fear of SIDS was so bad, counselling helped to validate and talk through.

I also passed a hurdle when DD was six months and as she got older as I knew I couldn't go on like that and stats around SIDS improve, didn't worry so much about weight when she could eat food, she was more interactive etc.

Do get help because I understand how exhausting it is but also because I'm sure you want to enjoy motherhood and have that outweigh the anxiety.

Sending hugs, and get some help!