Kitten making my anxiety worse!

[x_b_x]

Hello everyone

I hope this isn’t going to sound too weird or silly but I have been having some really bad issues lately.

We purchased a kitten a few weeks ago, she is around 10 weeks old now; basically I am not coping well at all. I thought I would be able to cope and read a lot of things about how cats can help with anxiety but I think it has pushed me the other way I really cannot cope with her and I feel awful and I do not know what to do.

I have severe anxiety most of my life and was on tablets but I tried so hard to manage it alone that I eventually became able to not be on the medication anymore which has been like that for around 7 years and I have been doing great.

Over the past few days however I have taken a turn for the worse and really becoming unable to cope with my anxiety and I think it is because of the new kitten. She constantly cries and wants my attention which is understandable as she is a baby but it is becoming way too much for me. When she does not get the attention she jumps up your legs and other furniture and goes hyper, I cannot leave the room for 2 minutes without her crying and it is really getting me down. The only time I feel like my anxiety is reduced is when I am out of the house and not around her.

I had a break down on the kitchen floor this morning because she just wouldn’t leave me alone, I wanted 5 minutes to myself so I could get jobs done but she was constantly there and I am getting to the point now where I am trying to come up with excuses with my other half of that I need to be somewhere or do something just so I can be out of the house.

I have told him how I feel but I just don’t think he understands. He says it will get better and that it’s not fair on her in which I agree with but right now I don’t even want to be anywhere near my own home and I feel like a failure because I am not coping. The only way I could describe it really is that it’s what I think postnatal depression feels like but with a kitten. I don’t want to bond with it, be around it and when I am around her I just breakdown and become so stressed to the point I cry and I do not why I am feeling like this.

Just wondering if anyone else had been through similar to what I am going through right now and how you dealt with the situation and what you did. I know it probably sounds like I am been really silly and over-reacting as she is just a kitten but I would really appreciate some advice right now.

[anna4969]

Hi,

I am so sorry you are feeling this way. I am wondering if the kitten is sick? I say this because my daughter had a little kitten that would absolutely not leave her alone either, cried always wanted to be held...it turned out the poor little guy had an infection in his intestines and that was his way to tell her he was sick. She took him to the vet and he was prescribed antibiotics and two other treatments of which I can't recall...and all is good and he is no longer so needy. Perhaps this is was is going on with your little kitten?

[x_b_x in reply to anna4969]

Thanks for the reply Anna, this may be the case. She has her first appointment with the vets actually this evening to start her injections and things so I may bring this up when I take her.

[autumnthebrat2]

I can relate. My wife and daughter wanted to get a puppy. We use to raise collies and grew up with them, but that was a long time ago. Since then, I suffered with really bad anxiety. I was apprehensive because I knew I would end up having to take care of it, but consented. First couple of months was hell. I felt like you. He was very demanding, hyper and jumping all over me. Pooping all over the house, and I had to train it. My wife and my daughter after the novelty wore off, did absolutely nothing to take care of him unless I bitched, and even then, they would do it once and I would have to complain again. I finally gave up on that. Anyway 2 years later, I love the dog. He is basically my companion. Really is man's best friend. He sleeps with me and I really look forward to being with him. If you can ride out a few weeks in the beginning, maybe it will get better. I know that's easier said than done, cause in the beginning with my dog, I really wanted to get rid of him, but I knew it would crush my 9 year old. I hope things get better, and if you can't deal with it anymore, your health is more important. Good luck.

[x_b_x in reply to autumnthebrat2]

Hey

Thanks for your reply. I am glad it worked out for you.

I am going to keep her, spoke about it with my other half last night and it isn't fair on her just to give her away. I realise she is a kitten and its going to be hard work for a while but I am going to try ride it out until it gets easier. We are getting her done in a few weeks that may calm her down a little maybe.

My other half told me last night that if we got rid of her then we would never have another pet again or even a baby. I do want more pets in the future, I would love a puppy as I am more of a dog person. I woke today feeling a little better and wanting to keep her. Don't know why my anxiety is been like this all of a sudden.

[jencan]

Like autumnthebrat, I got my first dog (as a puppy) & almost immediately went into high anxiety mode. Even the smell of her (a sweet puppy smell) would knock me sick. And, yes, I too thought of giving her away-----I'm single & just realised how incredibly tying a dog is, if you're to give them the attention that they need. After a couple of months I started to feel better & began to enjoy the fun side of owning a puppy. However, I've only ever owned cats before & I can truly say that I've absolutely loved each & every one of them & the fact that they're relatively independent creatures & content in their own company, makes them a much less demanding pet in the long run. I hope you're getting there & enjoying the delights of your new girl!

[x_b_x]

Well I have spoken over and over with my partner regarding the kitten and how it is making me feel. I am still bad, the only time I feel good is when I am away from the house or sitting upstairs away from the kitten. My partner is reluctant to find her another home and says we are keeping her, I guess I will just have to suck it up and try put on a brave face no matter how anxious I am feeling inside. I am hating been at home at the moment so trying to find any excuse to get away from there. Really sucks when you cant even be happy in your own home

[x_b_x]

So we made the decision to put the kitten up for sale. I am getting worse and I don't know how to feel right now. I also think she is very lonely been left at home 9 hours a day at a time so think it would be best she goes to a loving home that can give her lots of attention.

I feel like the worst person in the world right now, my boyfriend isn't really communicating with me, says he doesn't want to talk about it and is been really off with me. I am just thinking right now maybe I should leave instead of the cat

[Hidden]

We got a puppy in February it’s hard work for a little while but they soon calm down and get use to the routine at home. She’s settling in and getting use to her surroundings . And the attention you give her she’s probably made u her best friend by sounds of it she wants your company cause she enjoys it. It will settle down soon Hun . Bare with xxxxxx hugs