Panic attacks... now HV coming???

[quootiepie]

Hiya...
Recently Ive been having panic attacks again, and went to GP and got sorted with some medication. That wasnt really working, so went back to GP and saw a locum (not usualy GP) who gave me different tablets for them. I said I wasnt depressed with it (she asked if the baby in waiting room with husband was mine, so I know she was hinting at PND) and she said shed organise a visit from health visitor. Didnt think much of it until I remembered the HV saying to see GP if i thought at any time I saw suffering with PND (which this isnt). Why would I need a visit from HV then??? the only reason I can think of is to check baby is being looked after properly... do they do this with everyone who has panic attacks etc? I crapping myself now because its not my usualy very nice HV, but one I dont know and some health professionals have a thing against young people (im 20). WHy would they be coming?? Ive just move into a new house aswell and it looks like sh!t as decorating is taking forever... I bet social services come next

**was suffereing... not saw... must use preveiw button!

**was suffereing... not saw... must use preveiw button!

Blimey, must learn to spell preview and not hit post button twice

I don't think it is anything to worry about. Panic attacks can be a side effect of depression so your hv is probably just coming round to see if you're okay.

Quootiepie I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

The HV isn;t coming to check how you are looking after your baby, she will be coming to see how you are feeling.

GP's only have 5 minute appointment slots and the GP probably felt that perhaps it would be better if someone could spend a bit longer with you just to make sure everything is OK. He probably felt he wouldn;t be doing his job properly if he didn;t.

Have you done the Edinburgh test?

You sound pretty sure you are not depressed, but panic attacks can be linked to depression - I know, because I had both.

HV didnt come though before i had baby and i had worse panic attacks and depression then...

As far as I know health visitors aren't assigned to you until you've had a baby....

Yes health visitors are only assigned after having a baby and they must do that Edinburgh depression scale three times, at 1st contact-6weeks, at 10-14 weeks and then again at 7 months. That's what mine said anyway.
I'm sure it's just like frayedknot said and the gp wanted to offer you the opportunity to chat to someone for longer. I've seen you post on other threads (breastfeeding in public was you wasn't it?) and it sounds as if you are trying extremely hard and doing a great job looking after your lo.

yep, I was the non-public breastfeeder. Thanks for words of wisdom guys, i was sure she was gonna come and tell me how rubbish a mum I am and snatch DS away.

Can I just say that I had panic attacks for years and am now fine, but medication is only part of the answer: you need other sorts of help, usually beginning with CBT (behavioural therapy). You need your GP to refer you. If you get this sorted now, it will not rule your life.

But a panic attack never killed anyone, and it has never resulted in a baby being taken away. Please don't worry, and don't try to hide that you have attacks, but say firmly that you want/are getting help for them.

And very best luck!

hiya... tried (very expensive) CBT, it just doesnt work for me. Ive suffered for about 18 months now and medication seems to help the best for me.

Trust me, am not knocking medication: I think it can help break patterns and get you to a place where therapy (not necessarily CBT) works. But meds on their own are not a long-term solution.

However you handle it, I wish you luck, and I am sure you and your LO will be fine