People who have/have had panic attacks or depression ...

[BorgLady]

I've had panic attacks on and off for the last 15 years. Last bout was a particularly unpleasant one, and I ended up taking citalopram for six months to get me over the misery.

But I was off it and much better before I got pregnant!

What I'd like to know from anyone else who has suffered is ...

1. Did your mw/doc dismiss your pregnancy niggles as panic-related? Mine are both lovely people, but they seem to attribute every question and query I have to my anxiety rather than to pregnancy. MW even wrote in my notes that I may want an epidural because I have panic attacks ... that's not the reason ... I may want an epidural because it may bloody hurt!

1. Do you think it makes you more susceptible to PND or AND? That seems to be the general vibe I am getting from my MW at the moment. She seems to be keeping an extra close eye on my emotional wellbeing, always asking if I've been feeling down or depressed.

Don't get me wrong, I am really really pleased they are taking it seriously and I know that if I did feel depressed I would have some great people to turn to, I am just curious as to whether this is standard procedure.

TIA

Hi BorgLady, I have recurring episodes of depression and yes I know exactly where you are coming from...

I am nearly 35 weeks with my second and am hoping for a VBAC - doctors/midwives seem worried that I'll be depressed if I have another section, or that I was depressed last time because I had emCS - er I would prefer not to have the section, but I don't think the depression had anything to do with it - in fact I'm not entirely sure that having my DS triggered the depression!

My CPN tells me that previous depression or anxiety does make more you more likely to have AND/PND again. I'm seeing him once a month at the moment but that will go up after the baby's born for a while.

Like you I was well and not on any medication when I got pregnant, although I have been on medication several times in the past. And yes, they are all lovely but sometimes I feel like I'm being set up to fail. You have my sympathy - glad you're feeling well at the moment though and hope you stay that way

I suffered panic attacks on and off for about 2 years following a series of traumatic events.

After having CBT (have you tried it? It worked wonders for me) they luckily have faded although I can feel vague stirrings of them if I get too stressed out.

It was long enough ago and under a different doctor so it hasn't been mentioned during my pregnancies.

I think they do keep an extra eye on you for PND, but this is probably a good thing so that you can get help as soon as possible if it does happen.

My midwife watched me carefully for PND as I had twins, we were living in a new area with no family and I mentioned the previous anxiety attacks, all factors which can increase the chances of it occuring.

I was fine though - so the two things don't necessarily go together.

Hope it all goes okay for you - it sounds like you have a supportive health team.

I have also had CBT as I have a long history of depression and anxiety.
My therapist told me that it is not proven that cos you have the history there that you are more like to get PND. Infact in a way it is more UNLIKELY as you know the signs and know you will need help coping.
He said the most likley candidates for PND are women who think they can manage alone and who wont ask for help!

Hope that helps a bit.

I am now 32 weeks pregnant and feeling more emotional and 'down' than I have in months and months(also months b4 getting pregnant).
I believe it is the pregnancy and not a relapse!

1. No they didn't and if they did I would be VERY P***D off. Put them straight, you have to or the hospital will think that is really why you want one. I once went to the docs with really bad leg pain and the doc put it down to me having a panic attack ' as I looked panicky. Actually I was in agony as I had a clot in my leg - great doc .

2. No it does not. The only time I have been completely clear of depression was after the birth of my children. They will watch you like a hawk though as they have a duty to do so. When I had DD2 and did the PND questionnaire my HV accused me of lying .

So in short,
No1 very out of order.
No2 standard procedure,

You have plenty of eperience of dealing with your panic I'm sure, they just need to adjust their level of care to what you need. My psych lets me self medicate etc but my MW and HV had to understand that I was OK to do that and that I would seek help when I needed it (in the end my psych told them to back off a bit ).

6 months on citalopram isn't very long so you did very well to get better so quickly - I'm probably going straight back on when I finish BF! Good luck with your pregnancy, there are no rules on how your abnormal level of anxiety will be affected by it - you may find it makes it better in the end - but you will notice a totally natural increase in anxiety as a result of becoming a parent. Sorry, I'm assuming (possibly totally incorrectly) that this is your first .

Nope, you're right, BigBadMouse it is my first!

I am so pleased you all agree that having a history of panic/depression makes you better at spotting the signs. There is NO WAY I'd suffer in silence if I felt that way again, least of all with a baby to look after.

I was pleased to come off the Citalopram as it made me feel a bit spaced out after a few months of taking it, but I wouldn't hesitate to go back on it if I needed to, it's a lifesaver!

I haven't tried CBT, big waiting list apparently, so the doc thought I should try the drugs first.

I have a lovely DP and a very supportive family who understand about panic attacks and depression, so I have no worries about a relapse turning into something sinister.

If anyone else has any experiences, please do share them. I'm glad I'm not the only one to have felt this way!

I was depressed for many many years, used to self medicate which did not help at all and was suicidal (plus attempts) for a while...Once I'd sorted myself out a little bit I did CBT which was really good, I continued taking fluxotine to take the edge off while sorting out other stuff

I haven't suffered for more than a few days at a time since meeting my husband (he's my saviour!) but am also much more aware of the signs of it coming on and feel confident just to ask for the drugs that have worked for me and to be referred back into therapy

There are notes on my notes about my past depression and suicide attempts but apart from saying they'll keep an eye on me once the baby's born, I don't get anything mroe than a "how are you" at the start of each midwife appointment!

I have had down days but like you have a supportive family and network of friends who I trust and believe when they remind me it's probably my hormones!

You know you best, sounds like you're quite on top of it and so long as you're confident you can spot the signs, or someone close to you will, just I suppose be glad you get extra attention during pregnancy but follow your own mind

hth

I was automatically refered to the maternity mental health wellbeing clinic due to my history with depression, self harm and suicide attempts yet Ive been fine for over 4 years now, no meds or doctors.

Apparently its as a safety net in case of PND and while angry and feeling singled out cause of my teenage years Im now quite glad to have it there as I know how long it can take to get a referal into the mental health services.

I've got a history of depression and my mum had post-natal psychosis. My GP and midwife have assured me that if I get depressed I can get a quick appt with mental health services (although my GP can probably manage himself), but more importantly pointed out that I'm actually in a better position than women who've never been depressed, as I'll recognise it and be willing to get it treated, rather than wasting time thinking 'it's just me' or 'I'm a failure if I can't cope', etc.

Apparently the prime candidates for PND are the women who have unrealistic expectactions and are convinced they will be all fine.

I would ensure they change your notes so they accurately reflect your wishes - just say it's a mistake.

hi,
im only 23 but had panick attacks and depression on and off most of my life,having a nervous breakdown at 18 after a family death, leading to 6months fluroxitine and a year before i was pregnant severe again tring 3 differerent anti depressants 6 mnths of citropan worked along with a year of private counceling and a great partner.
when i became pregnant i went cold turkey not wanting to affect the baby.
i would say the counceling had the biggest effect on me,so when confronted with panick attacks i have practicle methods of helping myself.
as much as it might seem the midwife is insulting,its not healthy for you to let them drag u down.ur the strong one and your getting through it!when u need help youl ask for it, your in control!