Pregnant and anxiety disorder is rearing it's head

[*Sparklez*]

meggles of course u are.. n ur going to be a great mother too!!!

its good to take control early that way it doesnt slip through the cracks without u noticing before its too late... u sound like a strong woman i know u will be ok
just remember u ever doubt urself, feel down, or just need to scream or cry or laugh jump on n u will have an ear n a shoulder to lean on!!! ur never alone!! xoxx


THANKS BB

[sasha]

I haven't had anxiety but have a close friend who has. He said it's terrifying, I can only imagine.

What I wanted to say was: even 'normal' pregnant women often feel that they cannot cope. I don't know if that makes you feel better or not?!! So definitely talk to the counsellor, because having someone else go through your feelings with you helps you get perspective on them, and as you say, the coping mechanisms for if the anxiety comes back would be very helpful.

Just know that everyone feels this way at some point - not to diminish the anxiety, at all, just I mean, we all get overwhelmed and feel like we won't be able to do it. I bet all of the parents you've met (even your own) have had moments where they wonder what they got themselves into.* You will be able to do it. Luckily, as they grow, so do you. You learn on the way, by doing it, and you get better at it. It's tiring to start with, but you'll find ways that work for you to cope.

You can really do this. If it helps, the fact that you're so aware of your emotions and feelings and are taking steps to do something to help yourself gave me the impression of a very strong and empowered woman.

Good luck


*a few hours after T was born, I remember sitting in a quiet room in the birth centre with M lying next to me sleeping, and her lying in her cot sleeping, and thinking, "What the hell am I doing? I can't even cope with one!!!"

[Meggles]

****. this. ****.

I hate anxiety. Hate hate hate it.

I went to my first psych appointment last night and was feeling positive about her being able to help me, but now that it's morning and this is when my anxiety kicks in, I'm just so afraid again.

How can I possibly get better only seeing her once a week? I'm going away on a cruise in 6 weeks and I can NOT be like this.

I can't keep doing this every day, I just can't. I'm sobbing hysterically and I'm so frightened.

Oh jesus make it go away

[Maruschke]

****. this. ****.

I hate anxiety. Hate hate hate it.

I went to my first psych appointment last night and was feeling positive about her being able to help me, but now that it's morning and this is when my anxiety kicks in, I'm just so afraid again.

How can I possibly get better only seeing her once a week? I'm going away on a cruise in 6 weeks and I can NOT be like this.

I can't keep doing this every day, I just can't. I'm sobbing hysterically and I'm so frightened.

Oh jesus make it go away

is there anyone you can call for a chat? Thinking of you...

[Persephone1]

Hi Meggles, congratulations on your pregnancy.

I suffered with Antenatal Depression and Anxiety and was a bit of a mess during the first trimester. I was lucky enough to see a great psychologist but it took a lot of work to start to feel positive about the pregnancy and impending motherhood. I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone, unfortunately anxiety is experienced by so many people, but there is help.

Besides seeing the psychologist, perhaps you could talk to someone over the phone? The Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA) has some good resources - just google them and you'll find them. You WILL get better, you're doing all the right things to move forward. Anxiety is a b!tch! But I can say that, for me, it's not a life sentence, and I'm doing much better since my counseling during the pregnancy.

Good luck hun.

[~Kim~]

I've only just seen this Meggles and haven't read all the replies fully.
babe. Totally empathise.
My ANA is horrendous. After the first pregnancy I knew it would come back with another and it did.
Are you booked into a hospital yet? Talking to the midwives really helped. I did see a psych but her and I did not gel, so I stopped that quick smart. In the end I ended up medicated and on Aropax. Not for everyone, but I just could not function. All my previously successful coping strategies were doing nothing. I know it's not for everyone (and previously I would have said it wasn't for me), but it changed my life - for the better.
I'm truely happy for a chat if you need. Just let me know.

[boobaloo]

i know your fear darl, i really do. i had never suffered anxiety until i fell pregnant with my first, i had an attack, which is actually how i found out i was pregnant! frikking hormones! i was constantly sick, and was terrified of a lot of things, going into a baby shop made me vomit, the thought of having my baby made me stress, but the thought of losing him made me stress too. i felt like i was losing my mind. after i was about 6 months, i started to see an accupuncturist, which was the best thing i ever did, the relaxation i felt after seeing him was amazing.

my ante-natal anxiety lasted until delivery, although not quite as severe, but when i saw my son for the first time, any fears went out the window. i was in love. post-natally i didn't suffer at all with him. after my baby girl was born i had no anxiety until about 12 weeks post-birth when the attacks were back. but i got them under control with lexapro and other natural treatments.

the point of my ranting is that you are not alone, and you WILL be ok. you and your baby will get through this.
PM me if you would like to, and if you need my number just let me know, i'm more than happy to chat when you need help calming down.