Intro and Anxiety while Pregnant

[monkfruit]

Hello!  I was so happy to see this board!  I wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone could offer some advice.  I am expecting my second baby in June, and have one DS (2).  I lurked a bit on the bump, but after the craziness, couldn't see myself participating.

Prior to pregnancy, I was never treated for anxiety.  But for the past few months, I have been experiencing anxiety that seems to be ever-present, and is now causing increasingly frequent panic attacks.  I had a particularly terrifying panic attack last week that I thought was a heart attack.  After going to my doctor and ruling out cardiac issues with additional testing, she suggested I take some time off of work.  I foolishly tried to go back to work the next day, but burst into tears and started shaking uncontrollably about an hour after I got to the office.  I spoke with my boss, and took this week off.

This is all very frustrating and I don't understand what is happening.  I do have a stressful job, but I've been able to manage that stress fairly well for the last 4.5 years.  I have an appointment with a counselor this week, and am really hopeful she will be able to help me. 

I read through the Anxiety and Anxiety Comorbidities thread, which was very helpful, but had some more questions.  Has anyone experienced onset of anxiety (or serious exacerbation of anxiety) while pregnant?  If so, how have you dealt with those issues apart from taking medication?  Is there a particular type of doctor or counselor who has been helpful for you?  Any other advice or resources that could help?

Thanks all.  I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better.

[lulu]

Hi monkfruit and welcome!!! This is exactly what happened to me so I will try and give u some advice and also reassurance if I can. I had no depression or anxiety with my first child. I did however develop depression when she was about 5 years old due to some crappy circumstances. Two years later, I had a miscarriage and my depression worsened and I got pregnant with DS straight after, leaving me terrified throughout that something would happen to him....hello horrific anxiety!!

I went to see my doctor as, like you, thought I was having a heart attack, but he prescribed me a low dose of anxiety meds to take while I was pregnant. I'm glad I took them even tho I was pregnant and terrified that the meds may harm the baby, because I could not have coped without them.

When DS was born, my anxiety got out of control - as u probably read in the anxiety thread. So I changed meds again to more of a postnatal depression type pill and combined that with some CBT to combat the panic, irrational worries and negativity.

I know it may seem impossible, but some relaxation therapy is also great, esp when you are pregnant and anxious and maybe in need of some help to relax and switch your mind off. Reiki is good - I got that when I was pregnant and I went to a sleep clinic too, which was awesome.

There's no magic trick really - you just need to be strong enough to ask for help (which u have already!!!) take the help that's offered and to remember that you can't help feeling this way, but you don't have to feel like it forever.

Good luck with your pregnancy and good luck in learning some coping skills x

[monkfruit]

Thank you so much for the advice, lulu.  It's comforting to hear that other people have gone through similar things.  I did get a book on CBT that I'm reading, so hopefully that will provide some good tips in addition to the counseling.

[lulu]

You are so welcome. I'm beginning to realise that practicing all the different techniques seems to make a massive difference.

[mrsb1008]

Welcome monk. I have no advice on developing anxiety while pregnant but I know for me hormones and life changes have always been triggers for me. I would definitely recommend meditation or relaxation to help (with or without meds). I know there are some meds that are more safe during pregnancy. I have always found distraction to be very helpful during panic attacks. One of my previous therapists recommend a great technique if looking around the room and describing in detail everything in your surroundings. Be as descriptive as possible. It will help you focus on things outside what is happening in the body. I found that extremely helpful in dealing with some of my worst panic attacks.

[monkfruit]

Jan 28, 2015 19:06:36 GMT -5 mrsb1008 said:

Welcome monk. I have no advice on developing anxiety while pregnant but I know for me hormones and life changes have always been triggers for me. I would definitely recommend meditation or relaxation to help (with or without meds). I know there are some meds that are more safe during pregnancy. I have always found distraction to be very helpful during panic attacks. One of my previous therapists recommend a great technique if looking around the room and describing in detail everything in your surroundings. Be as descriptive as possible. It will help you focus on things outside what is happening in the body. I found that extremely helpful in dealing with some of my worst panic attacks.

I will try this.  Thanks!