Anyone with a reassuring tale about extreme anxiety!?

YummyMummyToB3

Hi all -



So I've been an Acute Anxiety Disorder sufferer for about 4 years now - was medicated and had counselling. I'm not talking "a bit of a worrier" I'm talking taking over my life, every waking moment I was panicking and worrying. Am now 25 weeks pregnant and my anxiety has been worse during my pregnancy. From finding out I was pregnant at 4 weeks to I'd say 20 weeks I worried about everything. If I was awake for 14 hours, at least 10 of them would be spent in a state of anxiety.



I'd worry if I coughed that I'd deprived baby of oxygen, I'd worry if someone hugged me, I'd worry if I reached for something on a shelf. I wouldn't even carry my handbag in case it was classed as "heavy lifting". Neurotic isn't the word. I seem to be a lot better now, I still worry a LOT but not to the same extent and am getting help with counselling and perinatal mental health team. I know a chemical/hormone called cortisol is released during times of stress/worry and am just wondering if this could have effected baby?



I just need to hear from other people who worried constantly that no harm was done to their baby! I'm telling myself "they are just thoughts and thoughts can't hurt my baby".

kaimee27

I'm sorry you're dealing with this!  I definitely tend to be a worrier, but don't have any experience with anxiety on the level that you're talking about.  It sounds like you're already taking the steps that you should be-by being treated by a doctor and going to therapy.  Also, is there anyone in your life who you could use as a sounding board that you trust who would tell you if they think that what you're worrying about is legit or if it's your fears messing with you when you're not able to be in touch with your counseling team?  As far as knowing people who worry constantly, no one else's experience dictates what yours will be, but if it helps you to feel a little better about things, my grandma is extremely anxiety-ridden (and always has been).  She gave birth to my mom and my uncle-both perfectly healthy.  I hope that everything goes well for you and that you are able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!!

YummyMummyToB3

Thank you yes I'm getting the help I need and my family have been wonderful but it's just a case of the unknown that spooks me!

Ineedmorecoffee

I am sorry you are going through this. I can sort of related, I have OCD and anxiety and it causes real issues every second of my day. I also worry that I am hurting the baby with my stress

I don't have any great advice, since I dont know how to control mine very well, but I hope you feel better soon & just know you are not alone!

minibean16

Oh yes! There are several of us here with diagnosed anxiety issues. You're not alone, and you're not hurting your baby.

There is research though that connects the anxiety we have during pregnant to postpartum anxiety. You may want to start some behavioural therapy now to make the whole process easier.

Nfranco973

YummyMummyToB3 said:

Hi all -



So I've been an Acute Anxiety Disorder sufferer for about 4 years now - was medicated and had counselling. I'm not talking "a bit of a worrier" I'm talking taking over my life, every waking moment I was panicking and worrying. Am now 25 weeks pregnant and my anxiety has been worse during my pregnancy. From finding out I was pregnant at 4 weeks to I'd say 20 weeks I worried about everything. If I was awake for 14 hours, at least 10 of them would be spent in a state of anxiety.



I'd worry if I coughed that I'd deprived baby of oxygen, I'd worry if someone hugged me, I'd worry if I reached for something on a shelf. I wouldn't even carry my handbag in case it was classed as "heavy lifting". Neurotic isn't the word. I seem to be a lot better now, I still worry a LOT but not to the same extent and am getting help with counselling and perinatal mental health team. I know a chemical/hormone called cortisol is released during times of stress/worry and am just wondering if this could have effected baby?



I just need to hear from other people who worried constantly that no harm was done to their baby! I'm telling myself "they are just thoughts and thoughts can't hurt my baby".

Pregnancy def brings out anxiety especially ones already dealing with it Pre- pregnancy.

I deal with anxiety as well and I no longer take medication. I have a few tricks that have helped me come along. 1) take deep breaths when you start to feel if coming on 2) change your thought .. For example: you pick up the baby bag & here comes a worrisome thought .. Quickly change your thought to something positive like holding your baby or finally seeing their adorable face. The negative thoughts will be overflowed by good thoughts. This helps me a lot & was taught by my therapist to help control the anxiety attacks. 3) getting fresh air or taking a short walk helps me to keep my mind off whatever I'm thinking at the moment. Giving yourself a pep talk also helps. Reassure yourself that your baby is fine & that you are probably overthinking the situation. Remember, your mind controls your bodies reactions. Good luck !! I know anxiety sucks big time.

aleksrata

I have had my share of anxiety throughout my life as well. I worry about everything! I will say that with my first child I had a lot of anxiety involving personal family problems and my daughter is as normal and healthy as they come.
Anxiety is horrible to deal with, it's exhausting talking yourself out of a panic attack all day, it really is. I feel for you. I'm glad you're dealing with it the right way.
On a side note, I have noticed a lot of my anxiety has gone away after my first pregnancy. Yes I still worry, that's how I'm programmed but if I do get anxious about something I can get over it a lot quicker than I used it. Hormones, they're crazy.
Good luck with it, I hope you find the calm soon.

Alid86

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I have had generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder since I was qute young but was medically diagnosed at 19. Normally I take Effexor XR to control it but wean off during pregnancy. I weaned off when fining out I was pregnant with DD and did so again with this one. It's hard some days and I understand the worry...I tend to think worst case scenario all te time but praying and having faith that God will carry me through all this. That He is in constant control helps me stay focused. I worried a lot and I think that is normal to some extent. Reminding myself that healthy babies were born to mothers in concentration camps and other very high stress/sad situations also helps. Is worrying good? No! But try to find some peace in knowing that the majority of the time all is ok and it sounds like you are taking the right steps to deal with your anxiety as best as possible!
All the best!

YummyMummyToB3

Hi all - thanks for all your lovely replies. It does help to know I'm not alone as sometimes I worry so much I feel like there's no way someone could overreact as much as I do!

Wishing everyone lots of luck and love.

MindyAndRyan

My heart goes out to you.

I have diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, PTSD, and OCD, accompanied by severe insomnia. I've been in therapy off and on since I was 11 (33 now), and on and off medications. I've now been in therapy for 5 solid years. I see a psychologist every 3 weeks and a psychiatrist every 12. I went off Wellbutrin and Ambien in June 2013 when we were about to start TTC. I continued taking Xanax only on an as-needed basis until I got my BFP in February. Now I am med-free.

I think, for me, sticking with therapy has been crucial. I still have anxiety, but I am able to work through it. Like others have said, deep breathing and distraction are very helpful. Forcing yourself to break the cyclic thoughts helps, too. Sometimes, admitting to someone (usually my husband) that I am having anxiety helps. Realizing that it is just anxiety, and not truth, helps.

You mentioned in your original post that you were medicated and had counseling. Does this mean you are not in counseling now? If not, you really should seek help. Perinatal Anxiety and Perinatal OCD are mental health conditions that are serious and real. It sounds like your former anxiety disorder is seriously heightened right now. You are not harming your baby, but you are harming yourself. It sounds like you can't enjoy your pregnancy over your worry. I highly encourage you to get additional professional help. This type of anxiety can get worse postpartum. Please help yourself now!

As others have said, and as you can see, you are not alone here! We're here to offer support. (((hug)))