Social anxiety and agoraphobia

[thatdarncat]

Is this is a common problem after having a baby? DD is 9 months and pretty much after having her I developed the above alongside the dreaded baby blues, which went away but I was still experiencing intermittent episodes of extreme anxiety and nervousness about leaving the house, especially when out myself with DD and always when travelling to meet friends in a place I had never driven to before. Quite often I would cancel at the last minute citing various excuses and would feel lousy for lying and being a bad friend. I thought I was getting better for a time as was forcing myself to get out and about but this morning I have been in tears with my heart pounding and feeling nauseated all because we have a friends kids party at a place I've never been to before, the house is a mess, DD won't stop fussing to let me get things organised, to top it all she is going through bad separation anxiety so I'm still in my pyjamas because she breaks her heart if I'm out of eyesight. I'm already thinking of excuses to back out and feeling bad about that. Please tell me I'm not alone.

Sounds exactly like me after I had DS, other factors contributed such as redundancy, near homelessness and other health problems.
He is three now and I've (most days) got a handle on it now but I urge you to seek medical advice, I muddled through and basically wasted years of my life.

But you are not alone.

Thank you for posting so quickly. Did you find that your doctor was sympathetic and understanding about this?

Also can anyone who has been in this situation (or is currently) tell me if social services get involved? Constant HV visits? I'm worried about this.

Didnt go today. Felt relief for a short while then guilt and loathing at being so pathetic. I've cried all day. I see my beautiful daughter and want to get her out and about and show her off and find it so difficult.

Social services will not get involved and your GP should be very sympathetic. I had similar symptoms after DD2 and was diagnosed with post natal anxiety, I was put on Prozac 20mg, and felt completely normal after 10 weeks. Three years later and I am pregnant with my 3rd. I would not hesitate in getting medical help if it happens again. I am convinced it was just a chemical imbalance that needed chemical treatment

Thank you, that is reassuring. I will make an appointment this week as can't go on feeling like this.

You're not alone. Getting help early on with such problems means you should have an excellent chance of full recovery. As Mumblepot said, social services don't get involved & I certainly didn't have any increase in health visitor appointments. Good luck!