Health anxiety newborn

[ForOpalStork]

Apologies I don’t know where else to post.

I have a newborn from a brief relationship. Father isn’t around.

Im suffering from ppl/ppd and currently have feelings around autism. His sisters kid has autism. the father has two kids which he didn’t tell me that they have autism so I assume they don’t.

I get so fixated over autism and it’s constantly popping up on my social media. I don’t know who to turn to or what to do.

I’ve been discharged from perinatal mental health and my GP wants to start me on anti depressant aeroplane but I’ve been feeling so dizzy on them. Will speak to her tomorrow.

im also speaking to the health visitor regarding a referral to a counselling service due to not bonding with baby.

i just get so worried about my baby’s life that I just end to crying all day over it. I don’t have family or friends to speak to.

my nephew is autistic but I don’t see my much older brother.

i don’t know where this is all coming from

Sertaline = aeroplane

Have you contacted your local NHS Talking Therapies or a local Single point of access team to mental health?

There is a centralised thereby place that I need to have a GP referral to. They have a team of everything.

Aibu to have these thoughts?

Well, yes, YABU to have these thoughts - because thoughts that are driven by a mental health condition like clinical anxiety or PPD are, by definition, irrational and unreasonable. So YABU, but YABU only because you're unwell and you're not able to think rationally at the moment.

You need to persevere with antidepressants, though. Sertraline might make you feel a little bit dizzy or light-headed at first, but it should settle down in a couple of weeks. It takes a few weeks to adjust to that kind of medication. I felt quite sick when I started Sertraline but once I'd had a few weeks to adjust, I have literally zero effects and I'm a much healthier and happier person for it.

Your worry about your baby is proof of your bond with your baby. How old is he?

Four months.

I worry more about myself :( I’m so selfish

I’m wanting to go back on a mood stabiliser as well. So need to talk to gp about that.

I don’t know what anyone could say :(

I had health anxiety with my second, started towards the end of the pregnancy and spiraled. Definitely recommend CBT and the talking therapies, as you've got a little one you should be seen fairly quickly. Sounds like you're doing the right thing speaking to your doctors and follow their advice, they might suggest persevering a little longer.

As horrible as it is to hear, you are being unreasonable to have these feelings because they are/can be all consuming. I would suggest blocking anything that is on social media that makes you feel a certain way, or even better just have a social media detox and stay off.of it. It isn't good for mental health.

The good thing is, when you engage fully with talking therapies, follow the guidance, do CBT and everything else it can and does get better. My little one will be 2 in May and I have tactics to manage my big emotions around health. I suppose the silver lining of this is you love your child and want the best for them and to support them so that is why our minds overwork. Once you get the right support you'll be able to channel that love in a different, more productive way. Well done for reaching out to your GP for support, you've made a big step which is amazing.