Severe anxiety

juliaray87 · July 2013

I've always had some pretty bad anxiety problems. And now I can't take my medicine for that, and I'm quickly getting overwhelmed by anxiety. I can't stop worrying about everything, again. I'm only 7 weeks in. Does anyone have any tips on de-stressing?? I know that stress and worry is bad for the baby too, which of course compounds the issue because now I'm worrying about how much I worry. My doctor has already told me not to take my medicines, so that's out.

lvlichelle · July 2013

Try to find a hobby or something that takes your mind off of it.. walk, learn to crochet, watch tv/movies, read a book, talk out your stress with your DH or BFF.. find someone in your family who can be a support person for you during this time.

juliaray87 · July 2013

Both doctors said its best for the baby if I don't take. Nothing but the meds has ever really helped. When I talk to friends and family about it, no on can understand how I feel, and tell me to stop worrying. If it were that easy, I would've done it years ago. Part of it is my job, which has made me very unhappy, but I haven't been able to find something else and I worry about finding something while pregnant. Sometimes I feel quite hopeless and think I may have to live with being on the edge of breakdown. I think I'm going to bring it up at my next OB appointment, because I don't think I can last for many months feeling like I'm about to crack.

mrscimer · July 2013

I have stopped taking my anxiety medication since I got my BFP and I am doing pretty well! My mom gave me an essential oil to calm my nerves and I thing it works (or I have the placebo effect going on). The oil is called Peace and Calm, and I rub a small drop behind each ear in the morning and am good to go all day. I would recommend giving it a try!

hippiechick21 · July 2013

I was taking paxil before I got pregnant. I call my doctor and of course they said it was a no no. They said they would rather I not take anything but if I still thought I needed something I could take Prozac. There is no way I couldn't be medicated. I HATE when people say just don't worry about it. That's like telling a person that is sick just not to be sick. But talk to your doctor there are safe medications out there. Good luck!

jrosa1 · July 2013

I was on anxiety meds a few years ago but I was able to come off them. Exercise was my savior! It gave me a release. Good luck! Anxiety is a terrible feeling!

Christal161 · July 2013

I know how you feel... I've been on depression pills and now that I'm pregnant I can't take them anymore the good thing is that I'm not harming myself and my doctor is taking a close eye on me, but I still feel those days that I'm not myself you know.

My mother (who is on the same medication/and situation as me since she had a baby young) has been helping me not think about the awful things. She keeps saying that make sure you start doing things that will change your mind! I've found out that taking a nice cold bath with my laptop and watching videos or taking a walk for an hour helps a lot! I'm thinking of taking up knitting or something

But it's different for everyone! But that's what I'm suggesting

AnnieDennee · July 2013

Have you ever heard of dialectical behavior therapy? I am using this a lot, because I have mild bipolar I disorder, and I am actually able with doctors' guidance to be off meds. DBT's focus is on helping me accept all things in my life as a starting point to changing them if possible, and letting it be if not. It's also focused on keeping me in the moment and out of my worried head which is great, because my pregnancy is a ride I don't want to miss! :

If interested, check out books by DBT's developer, psychologist Marcia Linehan. DBT has done really good things for me.

iverske9 · July 2013

My girlfriend had severe anxiety and she starting going to a meditation group and yoga. She learned a lot of de stressing and she actually started to examine Buddhism. Not that you have too but meditation is specifically made to calm you and learn ways to overcome anxiety. I would also talk to a therapist who can help you find your triggers so you can either avoid them or learn to use meditation and or other calming tools.

KariB509 · July 2013

Your doctor has told you not to take your medicine but can he/she prescribe you a different medicine? I also have anxiety and my personal feeling is that the stress anxiety causes your body is riskier than certain medications themselves. As doctors say, the benefit may outweigh the risk. It's at least looking in to.

One thing that has always helped me is a silly technique a therapist recommended when I was a teenager. I still use it today so obviously it's helped. When I start to feel like a panic attack is coming on, I do "square breathing." In your mind draw a line, |, and while you're drawing the line inhale for 3 seconds. Then draw the next line, |_, and exhale for three seconds. Next line, |_| inhale 3 seconds. And then obviously the final line, [], you exhale for 3 seconds and the square in complete. "Draw" as many squares as it takes to calm down. Focusing on "drawing" the square and breathing gets your mind off of your worries. (Also, I didn't mean for the visual to make you feel stupid, obviously you know what a square looks like, just giving you an idea of step by step involved). Hope that helps.

KariB509 · July 2013

hippiechick21:
I was taking paxil before I got pregnant. I call my doctor and of course they said it was a no no. They said they would rather I not take anything but if I still thought I needed something I could take Prozac. There is no way I couldn't be medicated. I HATE when people say just don't worry about it. That's like telling a person that is sick just not to be sick. But talk to your doctor there are safe medications out there. Good luck!

I am also on Prozac and took it during my first pregnancy as well. I feel the same way as you, that there is no way I cannot be medicated. My anxiety is debilitating if I'm not on medicine. I discussed this with my OB with #1 and she was very confident that it was safe. I don't feel like I'm a selfish mother either. I know some people are very critical of women taking any sort of medication during pregnancy and to those people I say mind your own business!

PrimRoseMama · July 2013

Stress won't harm the fetus. Get into talk therapy. Learn breathing and coping exercises. The stress is hard on you but really, it won't at all harm your growing baby.

Everyusernameistaken · July 2013

Call InfantRisk. They may be able help you find something that is safe to take. My friend had PPD and really wanted to breastfeed and InfantRisk helped reassure her that the med she was on was safe (I know BFing and being PG are different, but InfantRisk deals with both).

https://www.infantrisk.com/

And I second talking to a counselor, I have anxiety and seeing a therapist has REALLY helped me

Good luck!!

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Severe anxiety

Re: Severe anxiety

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:

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Want a personalized experience?

Severe anxiety

Re: Severe anxiety

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6dBethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.