Intrusive thoughts and fears

Re: Intrusive thoughts and fears

• hestia-is-wearie member

  January 2023

  You're certainly not alone, but it may be best for you to keep searching for a therapist. I'm not an expert, but your trains of thought sound like PPA. Do you have a telehealth service through your insurance that can let you see a therapist on demand? Does your hospital/birthing center offer new mom support groups or mental health services? If you're open to taking a prescription, is this something you can discuss with your primary care provider?
  It's hard, but help is out there. Kudos to you for recognizing something isn't right. 

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• gingermama46 member

  January 2023

  So sorry you are going through this. You are definitely not alone. I have this as well. It intensified after birth, so I also recommend a therapist as soon as you are able. Your hospital/OB should be able to share resources. Sondermind is a great resource. This is how I found my therapist. SonderMind | Find an Online or In-Person Therapist
  
  Not sure what state you are in, but check it out. There's a few other online options that take insurance, a few out there that are popular on social media (Better Help) for example do not so be careful with those ones!

  Report0 Reply
• krb99 member

  January 2023

  It sounds like you have prenatal anxiety! It’s really common. We talk a lot (well maybe not a lot, but a little) about postpartum depression but anxiety can be just as common.

  
  

  You can’t hurt your baby with your thoughts—all the “bad” is just in your brain and your baby can’t detect it. Some symptoms of anxiety can be “shared,” but it won’t come across to the baby as bad like it does for you. If you get a racing heart, you may have adrenaline going through your bloodstream, but your baby will just feel a faster heart rate like they would if you went for a run. They’ll just feel like whee mom’s excited! But all your thoughts are created by the complex neurological connections in your brain and all the molecules that connect them are stuck behind the blood/brain barrier and not shared with the baby. 
  
  OK get ready for a link party:
  

  
  

  This is a good website to read about perinatal anxiety: https://postpartumprogress.com/the-symptoms-of-postpartum-depression-anxiety-in-plain-mama-english
  
  Postpartum Support International can help you find providers: https://www.postpartum.net/
  
  https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/locations/
  
  I recently came across an app for telehealth called Maven Clinic that has good availability for therapists. Cost is about $85 for a first visit, I know that’s a lot. Icon is green with two white wavy lines that make a circle in the middle and a C and backwards C on the sides. 

  
  

  This book has good resources for some exercises that are taught in therapy to help with anxiety (good for reading while waiting to get in with a therapist): https://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Postpartum-Anxiety-Workbook-Compulsions/dp/1572245891
  
  This book is about postpartum depression but includes information about anxiety as well: https://www.amazon.com/This-Isnt-What-Expected-Overcoming/dp/0738216933
  
  I also like this one that focuses on anxiety: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Moms-Have-Scary-Thoughts/dp/1641701307
  
  You can talk with your OB or midwife about medications too, there are safe ones that can be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Sometimes medications can help make the intrusive thoughts not quite as “loud” so that therapy methods can have a chance to work. This can be especially true if you’re having symptoms that make it hard to take care of yourself, like sleeping and eating too much or too little. 

  
  

  I’m sorry it’s so hard to get into therapy, everywhere is in a bit of a mental health crisis because we’ve all been stressed the past few years. But you’re definitely not alone! 

  Report1 Reply