PND/Anxiety

[loramay22]

Hi All,

Thought I'd reach out on here as it's always helpful/safe to know other people that may be in the same boat to advise/share their thoughts/feelings and to simply let off steam.

I've recently had a baby boy (born a month ago now!) who has changed my world for the better that's for sure. But since his birth, my anxiety has heightened to the extreme. I have had a number of traumatic experiences happen in my life (only 25 and it seems almost overwhelming) I am very much a private person which probably hasn't helped me hence why I thought I'd try mumsnet as bottling things clearly hasn't helped me.

I had a fairly easy pregnancy with wasn't helped with a few ups/downs with the partner and the loss of our family dog unexpectedly. It has been since the birth that anxiety attacks have hit me, with the worst happening Wednesday this week and I'm still feeling the effects for it still today. I unfortunately had another family member pass only two days after the baby's birth. I don't know whether it is the number of losses I have had in my life that are now heightened to me as I've bought a new life into the world.

It's not allowing me to fully bond with baby although I am doing everything I can such as bathing him, singing to him, reading to him etc. I have lost my appetite/dread sleeping as I just have this impending feeling of death or something particularly bad happening to either myself or the baby. Any ache/pain I experience within my chest/ throughout my body, I begin to worry x100 and I feel my coping mechanism is rubbish.

It's extremely frustrating as all I want to do is have my normal self back and enjoy the baby. I went to GP yesterday and have also signed up for counseling, he didn't want to put me on anti-depressants for the time being due to my hormones and just wants to keep an eye on me with I'm happy about for now.

Has anyone else experienced similar feelings/worries? And if so do you have any advice or reassurance to me that everything will sort itself in due course?!

Thanks xx

How old is your baby?
Sounds very hard! Keep talking to your GP and if things change and things feel unmanageable make an appointment. There are lots of ways to deal with anxiety these days, with or without medicines, so I'm sure you'll find something that works for you.
Having a baby if life changing, but things will get better I promise! Anxiety is horrible though, and it has the ability to ruin everything. I hope you're managing to enjoy some moments. Get as much help as you can and keep talking xx

Baby is now 7 weeks, yeah I've just had another recent appointment with my GP, he's happy to not go down the medication route as thankfully I've been feeling better in myself. Thanks for getting back, talking definitely helps. I've also made contact with more family & friends to go for coffees & walks which has helped me massively.
Thankyou for your reassurance. Sometimes it's just nice to hear it.
xxxx

It's going to sound a bit odd but when my anxiety flares up, I run the cold tap in the bathroom basin and submerge my face for a little bit. The shock acts as a good distraction and kind of makes you feel alive again.

There was a documentary on BBC1 a while back where doctors were seeking alternatives to drugs and a lady with depression was told to try outside swimming. It really seemed to work for her.

I think the best thing to do (easier said than done) is to do something to take your mind off whatever's causing the anxiety. When you calm a little, you can look at what's upset you and deal with it. I had CBT but I was recommended a website where you can self guide called moodgym. It might be worth a look.

Hey, thanks for responding! That's an interesting tactic may have to try that.
Do you remember what the documentary was called at all?

Brilliant thankyou will also look at that site, I've downloaded some apps such as calm where they read audio books but I don't think it's that good but I haven't given it a proper try yet.
Doctor did recommend CBT. I've also got two friends who are mental health nurses and they also think CBT would be good for me as I need to almost retrain my thoughts.
I have counselling on the 20th so I will suggest CBT then, I just hope the counsellor I get I really benefit from.

Thanks x

You are not alone!! I had awful post natal anxiety - CBT via GP helped. Also recommend distraction - as soon as you feel an attack coming on watch a movie or TV show (something comforting not horrible) -a box set would be good cos it has lots pf episodes to get stuck into. Or try a 'beach holiday' type book - basically you want to break the cycle of getting more and more anxious and wound up by getting distracted by something interesting and fum. Fresh air exercise and talking to other people also good idea each day. Good luck!!

Just found it. It was BBC1 and called The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs.

Glad to know I'm not alone in this! Seems any little thing happening health wise is playing on my mind. I will try all these tips, thankyou.
I do find walking each day even for small amounts helps and talking definitely!
Will also look into CBT, as that seems to work for both of you.
Is CBT one to one counselling but more delving into your thought process?

Great thankyou, will give that a watch x