Panic Attacks

haboobti · November 2014

Recently I have had to deal with some family stresses...I'm approximately 28weeks pregnant and have been experiencing panic attacks...just last night I woke up from one...I had a dream that I had complications durning my pregnancy and it was either me or the baby...I chose to save the baby and was heartbroken because I would never get to see him, I woke up sweaty and in a panic...I need this to stop, I've tried so many ways of coping...breathing techniques, meditation...telling a friend...nothing really seems to work...they come in my dreams now...any ideas? And please no negative comments...I've seen so many people bashing others on here...I only post because maybe someone else is experiencing the same as me and I don't know any other pregnant women outside of this app...thank you

mle106 · November 2014

Sorry to hear that you're going through this. I would suggest talking to your doctor, especially if you've tried some things on your own. Try to stay positive and focus on continuing to grow a healthy baby.

Sahara6971 · November 2014

I agree, talk to your doctor. Panic attacks are NO fun!

jennjilljo · November 2014

People get "bashed" for dumb questions. This is a real problem that many women face.

Vivid dreams and nightmares are a common symptom that gets worse in the third trimester. I do believe that you should speak with your OB about this. Sometimes these dreams are worse when we try to ignore or fears and push them to the back of our minds. If you have a scary thought them it is possible that your mind will being it up in your dreams when you refuse to think about it awake. It may also help to have a relaxing routine before bed. For instance, 45 minutes before bed then off the TV and your phone, get a nice cup of tea or something else calming to drink and take a bath (or read or whatever relaxes you) then spend time mediating or trying to clear your mind before bed. Some people have said that yoga or other low stress exercises help too. Do bring this up with your OB. Anxiety is a serious issue whether pregnant or not.

lizjennings81 · November 2014

Like @jennjilljoite said, this is a serious problem and not one you'd get bashed for at all.

That said, everyone is right: talk to your OB. She or he will help and may recommend a therapist/counselor. I've had anxiety and panic attacks; seeing a counselor helped immensely, and it's something I kept up throughout the pregnancy. Do it for yourself – that'll lead to big benefits for baby, too.

haboobti · November 2014

Thank you ladies, I am already planning to let my doctor know what's goin on during my next visit...I try to have a routine and my husband gives me a message to relax me before we sleep, but even with that I can't sleep and when I do I get the bad dreams...I try my best to stay positive, but I thank all of you for the positive and informational feedback, I will try anything that might help...

jennjilljo · November 2014

I'm glad you have a plan and have started trying the simple techniques to help. GL and I hope your dr can help.

gemvloz7 · November 2014

Just want you to know @haboobti‌ that your not alone! I suffer with panic attacks daily, over the last few weeks have become worse, so I've been seeing a therapist. I've only had one session so far but already I feel better for getting the help I need. I recommend you do the same! I hope you get some peace soon, thinking of you.

haboobti · November 2014

Thank you for your support and understanding...it is a scary thing and can make any mom feel guilty, I appriciate all the positive and loving feedback

Ace226 · November 2014

One unusual suggestion I have that I got from a counselor... When you're in the midst of the panic, move your eyes back and forth like you're watching a tennis match. It sounds weird, but it's supposed to calm you for whatever reason, and the last time I had a panic attack it really did help. It didn't take it totally away but it let me "pause" so I could try to calm myself further.
I have a lot of issues with thinking something bad, and assuming since I've thought about it it WILL happen. I have to talk myself down and remind myself the thoughts are JUST thoughts and nothing more; they have no bearing on reality.

But in any case, if you are really struggling, I highly recommend talking to your doctor!:)

jennjilljo · November 2014

Now that I'm awake and not trying to distract myself from gas pains I can add personal experience.

I often have anxiety over drowning because I'm not a strong a swimmer. I have literally cried myself to sleep and woken up in cold sweats, clasping at my chest, heart pounding and in the middle of a panic attack that made moving and breathing physically painful.

DS is 2 and we've been invited to a family vacation this year on an island on the east coast. The island has a small creek that runs behind the house we rent that has alligators in it. I have an overwhelming fear that DS will fall in this creek with a bunch of alligators and I won't be able to do anything because I'll be pregnant, have a newborn or juts not be there. What I've started doing is letting myself think about what may happen.

"Ok, he's playing and falls in but his Poppy, Daddy, Great Grandpa and at least 2 uncles would be out there with him. Poppy and Great Grandpa couldn't do much because of health concerns but Daddy and his uncles would go in after him immediately. But if they go in directly after him then they could hurt too bad to help him or hurt him by jumping too close. Daddy and one Uncle have safety training and the other is a dad so they would know better and their splashing would probably attract dangers away from DS which would help even if they couldn't. It would be better if DS didn't close to an area he could fall in from without either me or Daddy right with him. We can just tell family that he's not allowed on the dock without us and they'll listen to that rule. What if he gets away from them though and runs out on his own? We should bring a baby gate. We can put an easy to open baby gate at the beginning of the dock so DS has to have adult help to get out there, give strict rules to all the adults about DS and the dock and find ways to minimize the amount of time he spends on or near the dock anyway. Yeah, that would work."

This problem solving thought process has helped me a lot because it gives me control over a hypothetical situation that I would normally have no control over at all. I take comfort in planning and being prepared. I also feel like when I confront my fears and anxieties that I can take control of them and find ways to reduce or eliminate dangerous possibilities.

foxslaw · November 2014

Try drinking something. It'll let you focus on something else & help your breathing return to normal.

MrsScally13 · December 2014

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I suffered from vivid day dreams during my first pregnancy and then panic attacks. They were always awful and I would sob uncontrollably and they would trigger the attacks. I'd also like to add my voice to thoes who are suggesting to talk to your doctor. For me things only got worse after birth and I ended up with postpartum psychosis and depression. Please know I'm not even hinting this is in your future. I just wanted to share my story so if you were on the fence about getting help this may push you over. I didn't get help early and it turned into a much bigger issue. Be sure to take care of yourself. You deserve to be healthy and happy and should not have to go through this, esp without professional help. I hope you get some peace soon because panic attacks are ao awful. Love and hugs to you.

brij2006 · December 2014

Definitely set up an appointment with a therapist and mention it to your OB. You will thank yourself later.

You can also try any of the "mindfulness" apps and do them before going to bed and first thing when you wake up. It helps to clear your mind so you can get some restful sleep and shut your brain off.

wintersong139 · December 2014

foxslaw said:

Try drinking something. It'll let you focus on something else & help your breathing return to normal.

I was about to suggest this, in addition to talking to a counselor or therapist. I have not had many panic attacks in my life--only about three. And for each one, I felt as if I could not breathe. Each time, slowly drinking a cup of tea was able to help me calm down, because I find the warm water very soothing, the steam makes me feel like I can breathe, and I drink slowly and deliberately to concentrate. The last time it happened, I didn't even make tea--I just heated water in the microwave, and it still helped.

FlutterOfYoshis · December 2014

Panic attacks are NO fun at all, especially during pregnancy. There are a number of us on this board who have experienced them even before becoming pregnant, so please know you're not alone!

In addition to all these ladies' suggestions about talking to your doctor/seeing a therapist (mine's been so extremely helpful to me this pregnancy), try to figure out a variety of preventative measures that might work for you before bed. Massage is a good one you said you have. For me, if I know something specific is stressing me it helps me to write out in a journal what is bothering me and then go through and rationally write positive solutions. If I don't have a specific cause of stress but just feel off, I find that reading a fiction book before bed helps a ton since it distracts me from my own self and puts me in someone else's story for a while. By the time I put my book down, I'm much more calm and fall asleep almost instantly.

Try out a bunch of these suggestions you're getting and see what works for you--it's different for everyone. I hope you're able to rest easy soon!

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