Am I suffering from post partum anxiety?

[DogMom62]

I had a baby 16 months ago. From about 6 months post partum I suffered a bout of health anxiety triggered by finding a lump. Since then my brain hyper fixates on anything and everything that I cannot control - other health ‘issues’ that turn out to be none issues, normal unfortunate life happenings such as things breaking in the home or car trouble, committing to big purchases etc. My mind simply goes to the worst case scenario and panics about what is happening and if I’ve made the right decision, what if I’ve made the wrong decision and it back fires on me. It’s getting to the point where it’s quite draining and people around me are kindly telling me I’m being irrational. The annoying thing is, deep down I know it’s irrational but I can’t stop the train of thought.

None of these irrational thoughts are directly about my child and generally don’t impact my day to day functioning of being a parent, an employee, a partner or friend. However they are becoming more frequent and I’d like to try to get a hold of them before they do me. I’ve heard CBT therapy is useful but access to such is limited.

Essentially I just want to know if this happens to other women post baby and I’m not going crazy!

Both things can be true - yes, it happens to lots of other women and yes, it sounds like post natal anxiety or depression. Have you asked your GP or health visitor for support?

I agree that it does sound as if that could be what could be going on.

You could talk to Pandas Foundation. I would also have a look at DBT and then talk to your GP or HV

How are you this evening @DogMom62? Have you managed to speak to your DP/DH yet about how you’re feeling?

I experienced this - total irrational thoughts of doom about every small problem. It was like my brain couldn't work out what what a big problem and what was a small problem.

mine was Ppa and ppd. I chose not to be medicated but I had a year of counselling with a psychologist which helped.

my anxiety was fuelled by hormonal fluctuations and was particularly bad around ovulation.

im sorry you're going through this 🙏❤️

I had this after my twins were born. It was PPD anxiety and I knew it was irrational (I would fear they were going to fly out of my hands as I walked across the room with them, I thought every other car on the road was going to hit us) but I had very little control over it other than to mentally smother the thoughts. I felt better once I got to talk to other new moms about it. It resolved before I needed to go on medicine for it but I would 100% would have gone on meds for it had it persisted. OP good job recognizing it and now go get the support and help you need. You arent crazy, this is very common and fixable.