Pregnancy and Anxiety/OCD??

brittneey

I need recommendations and some help from you fellow mommies. I know I have a moderate anxiety or OCD disorder. I had it pre pregnancy but it was never this bad. I have never taken anything for it, or gone to a doctor but lately it's been getting so terrible I feel like I'm losing my mind. I always feel worried and forgetful, I hate being alone cause that's when it hits the worst. I feel like it's more of an ocd because I don't have any hot flashes or feel my heart race, but I just feel so stressed and like I'm forgetting something all the time.

Anyone have any of the same symptoms? Or at least have any ideas on what is the best way to treat this?

beblameless7

I am so very sorry... I've struggled with debilitating anxiety for years (weight loss, hiding in closets, hitting myself, OCD tendencies of all kinds to try to regain control when I felt everything else was out of control). With antidepressants, counseling, faith and a loving husband, I've been able to stop the meds and counseling.

If you have anxiety/OCD that is physical in nature, pregnancy will only cause further chemical imbalances. Meds can give you some control back (I believe there are options during pregnancy, especially if you can't function!!). If it's more psychological in nature, an addition of counseling can help you learn to reframe situations instead of, for example, always anticipating the worst. You are SO not alone, so seek help! It's no question you should talk with your OB and see a specialist.

I'm just 14 weeks and have had several bleeds due to a placental tear. With the worry and "modified bedrest" restrictions, I've been tempted to give into the anxiety. It would be so easy, because I had trained myself to react to stress that way. Part of my personal therapy these days is "choosing joy" based on the book 1,000 Gifts. On my way to the hospital today, instead of imagining the worst, I started listing my blessings as I experienced them. "Sprinkling through the crack in the window, the smell of rain, family nearby when my husband is traveling," etc. I consider them God's everyday gifts, but the idea still works for the non-religious. All the best.

mummabearoftwo

Ah yes. It's 1:45AM and I've just finished cleaning the house.
I know it's an OCD thing for me but I can't stand untidiness or dirty. Im okay playing with the kids and I understand there is mess but I need to clean it after.
My partner feels that it's more important to me than other things...
I honesty don't feel like that though, I'm okay if we play and make a mess but as long as we clean up once we are finished. I'm 20 weeks with our second with two kids we can't afford not to tidy after ourselves otherwise it gets out of control...
My partner feels this is me being obsessive over cleaning :-/ il take it if it means the house is clean?
It's just gotten a bit more now in pregnant, smells really make me feel sick so I try and keep everything clean and fresh.
To me i justify it by thinking is it really a bad thing to want to clean? Or to have a clean house? If we did it quickly in the morning it would be over and done with but it always results to us bickering on why it has to be done now and not later, like I'm not even asking for you to get off the couch? Just let me do it because if I don't it just won't get done!

Yep my OCD and anxiety have sky rocketed onto new levels

mac-n-cheesy

@brittneey I would highly suggest seeing a psychiatrist that specializes in pregnant women (my OB referred me to one and has been a life saver). I do not have OCD but I have severe anxiety and panic disorder that my new psychiatrist recognized as something that would be more detrimental to my growing little girl than my anxiety meds. He also put me on a medication for insomnia since I was unable to sleep more than an hour and a half at a time and was averaging less than 6 a day. It definitely seems like what your going through is best managed by a professional.
Beyond that, prenatal yoga, mindfulness techniques involving breathing, and/or cognitive behavioral therapy may be of great benefit.

christina4436

It doesn't sound from your symptoms that you have OCD. It sounds like anxiety (and you may have some OCD like tendencies). I always worry and tend to think worst case scenario with a lot of things. It didn't start affecting me until at night while I was subconsciously having this anxiety I would clench my jaw and eventually ended up with TMJ/jaw pains. Sometimes would be hard to fall asleep thinking of my mental to do list and was always afraid I was going to forget something. I also have become afraid of flying and house break ins. My doctor suggested a low dose of Zoloft which has definitely helped. I no longer have jaw pain, sleep through the night most times, can fall asleep home alone without issues, and I think overall have more of an 'everything happens for a reason' attitude and don't freak out if something bad/unplanned happens. I would definitely suggest. It's a category C drug I believe and pretty safe for pregnancy. That means no none affects on humans while pregnant. Usually doctor says the benefits outweigh the risks.