I've cancelled the hairdresssers. Again.

[Tea1Sugar]

And my friend coming over, and the theatre, and a night out tomorrow. Anxiety is taking over. I've started CBT and GP recommends 12 sessions to see if it makes a difference before any meds. Anyone else scared of everything?

I can identify with this. Although it's a fairly new thing for me since having a baby. I had no idea anxiety could be so crippling. I'm sorry you feel this way too.

I'm pretty much confined to my house.

Snap. Baby 8.5 months ago, anxiety kicked in shortly after.

Is there something hormonal going on? I used to be a very confident, independent person! Now I'm scared to leave the house without another adult.

Are you me?!

Very common after having children. A little voice that tells you that people are judging you on everything, so when you do something without the baby, your subconscious makes you anxious because you are not there for your child. Even though what you are doing is completely normal

You know there is treatment for this in the form of anti depressants, it is chemical and needs chemical treatment. Please go and speak to your GP, you don't have to put up with it

Tea, how are you feeling today?

My anxiety is more about leaving the house with my baby rather than leaving my baby behind (which admittedly I haven't done yet and not even contemplated that - although she's only 7 weeks old).

She is a very placid baby at home but tends to scream in her car seat and is prone to the odd projectile vomit!!

Tomorrow I have to go to weigh her and then do a bit of shopping. I'm already getting nervous.

I've set a timetable. An 8 week plan for me to be more independent and I'm starting it tomorrow. Nervous, anxious but excited to be getting somewhere. My CBT therapist has drawn it up for me.
Week 1: 3 x 1hr blocks just me and kids at home or out
Week 2/3: 3 x 2hr
Week 4/5: 2 x 3hr
Week 6/7: 1 x 3h and 1 x 4hr
Week 8/9: 2 x 4hr
Week 10: 8-6

Dd1 is at school 9-3 so mainly just me and baby. Usually my parents come and keep me company whilst dp is at work so they've got this timetable too and are only going to pop round after my independent sessions. All reads as very anal but I hope it works!

Sorry, got to do these each day for either 1 or 2 weeks before moving on.