Postnatal anxiety/depression

[Laulie98]

Hi all.
I had my second little one almost 4 months ago. I have 2 under 2. During my 2nd pregnancy I suffered from a little anxiety nothing to bad after my first born I had a few down days but again nothing to bad. But since about 8 weeks postpartum I have been having severe anxiety mostly health anxiety I keep thinking something Is wrong with me it's driving me insane. I cry everyday as I feel I'm stuck in the house everyday and the loneliness gets to me as my partner works alot and no one ever visits and being responsible for 2 young children gets to me. The anxiety is 24/7 I'm constantly thinking somethings wrong or the slightest pain or ache i think it's serious. I keep denying to myself that I have postnatal anxiety or depression because I have never experience any type of mental health issues I feel guilty for feeling the way I feel as I have the most perfect family and kids and there is no reason for me to feel like this. I contacted my gp about 4 weeks ago for some help or advice I was told I would have to wait 2 weeks for a telephone appointment! They gave me a date and time but it ended up being the wrong date and time so I missed the call. I am to anxious to call back as I don't want to be a burden on them and the last thing I want is to be prescribed something to help. Has anyone ever been through something similar what helped? I really feel like I'm loosing my mind

I'm so sorry you feel that way. Do call your GP again - you aren't a burden and your mental health is just as important as anything else they deal with. If you need to you can call the Samaritans on 116 123. They are truly amazing. We all need help sometimes and blimey, with 2 under 2 and only giving birth 4 months ago, that's a lot. I hope you have a better day tomorrow, but if you don't, remember that even if it doesn't seem like it right
now there will be better days. Do you have friends or family you could either ask for support or just have a chat with? Talking to other people - even about crap - always helps me when I'm at my lowest, even though it's when I least want to do it.

First of all, hugs. Health anxiety is the worst, I've been there.

Second, call back your GP. You're not a burden, you are as entitled to use the service as anyone else and mental health is just as important as physical health.

Third, don't write off medication for anxiety/depression if your doctor thinks it's necessary. ADs are life changing for a lot of people - including me! You won't necessarily have to be on them long term, but they can really help. Just keep an open mind hope you feel better soon

Thank you for all your kind words they have made me feel better. I just have got to the point now where I feel it is never going to end this feeling of being anxious. I find it so hard to open up to people I have never been someone who expresses how they feel but I am almost at my breaking point and feel like speaking to someone is my only choice now. I will be giving my gp a ring again when I am ready as it took me a lot of courage to pick up the phone the first time.

Does your GP do an econsult system for appointments? Means you don't have to ring, and you can write down what you're experiencing instead of having to say it out loud good luck x