To be scared to get help

[taliatagliatele]

I had a beautiful little girl at the end of February, she's so amazing, so cute and sleeps like an absolute dream! But since having her I've had the absolute worst anxiety where I just feel totally sick with worry all day every day. I don't have any horrible thoughts, I don't think I'm depressed, but I just feel so sick with worry over the tiniest things every day. I never experienced this after having my first! But PPA has been experienced in my family by my mum and sister before.

I really want to get some help because I'm struggling with it and it's getting difficult to feel human and do normal things without that sense of worry in my chest that just won't go away. My partner talks to me about it every day and does his best to make sure I'm feeling okay. But he thinks I need to talk to someone. I want to talk to someone and get help but I'm just terrified they'll get social services involved and they'll think I'm putting my children in danger.
I really just want some insight, has anyone else got help and everything has been fine? I just don't want to be labelled as a bad mother because I'm struggling with my mental health. By no means do I think people with mental health issues are incapable or bad mothers, my mother really struggled but she was the absolute best mum and never let any of her struggles affect me. but I have seen some instances where doctors have got social services involved. That'd break my heart, my babies are my world.
If anyone else has been through this and is able to share how talking to the doctors went, id really appreciate it. I don't want to struggle with it on my own anymore but I also don't want to open up another can of worms!
Thank you x

Absolutely no chance of them contacting social services unless you admit to thoughts of harming your children. If you speak to your GP about your mental health they will ask who lives at home with you, do you have support etc but they will not even question whether your children are well looked after unless you mention that you're struggling to cope with them etc. I'm a mum and a foster carer for my local authority and I get help through my GP for my anxiety - medication and counselling, it's never been a question as the children are well looked after.

@Nogodsnomasters thanks so much for this. This has really helped put my mind at rest. None of this is down to the babies, if anything they really help me as they're my constant and make me so happy! I just booked an appointment for 11am tomorrow

All that will happen is you'll be referred for some low level talking therapy and maybe have some antidepressants thrown at you.

It's no big deal. No reason for social services to be involved unless you say you're harming your child in some way.

So glad I helped put your mind at rest and you've went ahead and booked the appointment. You won't regret reaching out for help. I hope the GP is helpful x

@taliatagliatele well done for booking an appointment, see if you can be referred to your local perinatal mental health team, I have PND which manifested as awful anxiety and they have helped me so much! I think you can even self refer but may vary depending what area you are in. Good luck, I have every sympathy for you but it can and will get better ❤️‍🩹 xxx

@Whycantgiraffesdance @Nogodsnomasters thank you both SO much. I got some help this morning. I feel so much better now I'm not suffering in silence and getting the help I need ❤️ It took a look for me to speak up but I'm so glad I did.

So glad you did it and are feeling a bit better @taliatagliatele x

Well done OP!