Onset of symptoms 9 months post partum.

[Doublek821]

Hey everyone! Around 9 months post partum I started to get anxious. It got worse and worse until in early May I was at my breaking limits and sought treatment for anxiety. I was started on effexor and have been increasing it since then. I have little to no anxiety or panic all month, until right before my period it all comes back. Inconsolable crying, racing thoughts, palpitations, feelings of hopelessness, etc. It starts getting bether as soon as my period comes around for a few days. My doctor just prescribed ativan to be taken around the clock but I don't feel I need it 75% of the month. Anyone else experience this? Has anyone tried birth control? Thanks!

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi Doublek821 and welcome to the forum,

The anxiety you describe sounds really tough and I hope the medication the Dr has prescibed is helping a little? Perhaps you can ask for more support in other ways if you are feeling meds are not needed for some of the time though, are there any local support groups you could access? If you are in the UK, your local childrens centre or Health Visitors/ GP might be able to signpost you.

This forum is mostly used by women who have had postpartum psychosis, which is a sudden and severe episode of mental illness, usually starting in the days or weeks after having a baby. I had an episode of PP after my first child was born in 2009, and anxiety was a huge part of my illness, along with mania, psychosis and other muddled and racing thoughts, leading me to completely lose touch with reality. In the weeks and months I spent in hospital, and when discharged home, I too experienced anxiety, so I can relate to a lot of what you describe. The following link gives a link to the APP website with some further info: app-network.org/what-is-pp/

Mental health problems around childbirth and having a baby seem so cruel, when we are expecting to have wonderful and happy experiences, even if we are prepared for it to be tough to an extent. Do you know if there is a perinatal service where you live, so you could get some more specialist support? Perhaps you could ask your GP to be referred.

I hope some of this has been helpful to you, please feel free to come back and ask any more questions. Take care, xx

[Doublek821 in reply to Hannah_at_APP]

Thank you. I actually just ended an intensive outpatient program 3 days a week 3 hours a day. I have some good follow up set up as well. Just hoping this all ends soon!