Is this what anxiety feels like?

[SPR1107]

I've never had anything like anxiety or any other mental health 'issue'.

But the last few weeks, I cannot stop crying. Everyday when I wake up I feel dread, for the most part of the day I'm fine, except when I'm on my own I burst in to tears. When I see it's getting dark outside, I feel a sense of panic that I can't explain a reason for. I feel like someone is constantly sitting on my chest.

As soon as I'm home, I'm crying, my breathing is heavy, I feel panicked, but I don't know why.

I struggle to get to sleep, and then wake up several times a night

I'm 20 weeks pregnant, with a 2 year old DS (who I desperately try not to cry in front of), and remain cheerful and upbeat.

Is this anxiety? Or something else.

Why would it just come from nowhere?

For the record, I booked a GP appointment last week, but can't get in until mid December.

Not a medical expert to be able to diagnose, but yes, it could be. Parts you describe are how I've felt at times...I was diagnosed with anxiety, when pregnant, triggered after a choking incident with DS.

Could also be seasonal affective disorder if it's been in the last few weeks where the seasons have changed.

Did you mention you were pregnant when trying to get an appointment with the GP? May have been coincidence with my pregnancy, but they dealt with me quite quickly. Get onto your midwife in the meantime, they should have a perinatal midwife who can help.

Thank you, I didn't mention I was pregnant, so will definitely try that.

Other than my Mum, I find it really hard to talk to people about this. Even my (very supportive) DH. I just feel like such a burden and drama queen.

Is there always a trigger? Or can it just happen?

My Mum is getting be a light designed for SAD (I know I refer to her a lot, I am a fully grown adult haha).

My mum has always suffered from anxiety, and SAD.. and I've never understood it. Always been supportive but kind of thought inside, just 'pull yourself together' to an extent. How naive was I! Tables have soon turned!

Thanks for your help.

It sounds a lot like anxiety / depression to me. My last episode started with several days of almost constant crying that turned into a month of panic attack hell before I got signed off work and restarted on ADs.

Ps. Definitely push for support on the basis of your pregnancy - it's so important for you to try & stay healthy now & they should see you quicker. I'm pregnant now too & thankfully feeling 'well' but I've warned my midwife about my history & as soon as I have the slightest 'wobble' I start to convince myself that it's the start of my impending descent into PND.
Really hope you get some help soon; sending hugs as I know how rotten those feeling are.