Post natal depression advice please

[Mumtotwoxo]

10 weeks ago I had my second child. I suffered anxiety/panic attacks after my first and was put on fluxotine. I stopped taking this when I was pregnant with my second. Everything was great and I felt great after having baby but last week I woke to having the most severe panic attack followed with intrusive thoughts about myself and my children. I can't seem to focus on anything else other than these thoughts and the fear of having another panic attack. I've had the emergency crisis team out to chat but I felt what they were saying I already read online. I'm having to wait to be seen my a psychiatrist but in the meantime I don't know what to do. I've started taking fluxotine again and been given sleeping tablets for the next couple nights but they look haven't worked either. My mother is here luckily to have my kids. Will things get better? Am I going crazy?

I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had a bad time.

Please be kind to yourself. Having a baby is hard and as much as this is your second, you’re still having to adjust and survive and put this tiny human first. Take all the help you can get.

With regards to intrusive thoughts - I strongly recommend you buy the following books; Overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts. The happiness trap. Negative thoughts are so so common and unfortunately not talked about enough. Are you speaking to anyone in real life about the thoughts you’re having? Just getting it out there will probably help you. You could also start a journal.

I suffered terribly after my son was born nearly four years ago & intrusive thoughts were my main issue. Main things that helped were speaking with close friends and family, weekly therapy, medication and meditation. Am currently 32 weeks pg with #2 and quite truthfully terrified it’ll happen again, BUT I know what to expect this time. It always passes no matter how bad it feels.

You’ll be just fine. Hang in there and take some time for yourself, even if it’s just half an hour per day. X

Hi Op.

I had panic attacks earlier this year, always at night. It was horrible. I was put on mirtaxapine and it really helped me.

My DD is 3 now but when she was born I had racing intrusive thoughts and horrible anxiety. I went to the GP who put me under the care of a psychiatrist. I was put on olanzapine and given counselling. I used daily meditation (headspace) and tried to do exercise every day even though I didn't feel like it. Sleep hypnosis apps are great (Glenn Harold's) and deep breathing. Make sure you are eating and drinking, take vitamins if you need to. Be kind to yourself and where comfy clothes at night. Try to relax even if you can't switch off. And give yourself a hug. Sounds daft but it helped me relax.
This will not last forever.
Hang on in there. It could be a long road but it will get better and you will be alright x