2nd baby

[chadlink]

Has anyone went on to have a second baby, struggle post partum with social anxiety and paranoia, but not fully relapse into psychosis? My wife is now 6 weeks post and had her first social anxiety attack last night and another today where she thought people were talking about her when checking out or standing in line, we are just on lithium. Previous to baby’s she was off medication fully for close to 2 years.

She had out of the blue with baby 1 and no previous mental illnesses.

Thanks!

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hi chadlink

Good to hear from you in the US Congratulations on your second bundle of joy. I'm very sorry to hear that six weeks post birth your wife seems to have social anxiety attacks where she thinks people are talking about her.

I think in your other posts I mentioned that I had PP twice following the births of my sons, six years apart. Following the birth of my second son it was my husband who noticed that my behaviour was similar to that of my first PP. I was sectioned to a psychiatric unit for treatment as I was hearing a commanding voice, having delusions and hallucinations.

I'm sorry I don't have any experience of taking lithium. Perhaps you could ask your doctor for advice and the medication or dose might be changed? From my notes I read that my delusions eventually faded with the addition of Stelazine in my medication regime. I think it is now known as Trifluoperazine as my episodes were a long time ago.

Take good care of yourself too as it must be a worrying and busy time for you. We are all here to listen.

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi chadlink, thanks for posting and sharing your situation at the moment - congratulations on the arrival of your new baby! I'm sorry to hear that your wife has some struggles with social anxiety and paranoia. I had another child after PP with my 1st and whilst I didn't have the kind of feelings you describe, I had some anxiety around potentially becoming unwell. I talked to the psychiatrist I was under for a short time to try and explain my worries and he was really good at reassuring me that it was very normal. In fact he said if I wasn't worried about becoming unwell, he would think I perhaps was, if that makes sense. The social anxiety sounds really hard and I hope that your wife is feeling a little better from talking it through with you? It will be a comfort to her I'm sure that you are there for her, as it was for me with my husband. As Lilybeth says, I wonder if you or your wife could talk to your Dr and whether your wife's medication could perhaps be adjusted to try and help with the symptoms you describe. Whilst I did take lithium after PP, I didn't take it after my 2nd child, only a low dose of antipsychotic, so I don't have experience in that area to share I'm afraid (only that it did perhaps help, but we will never really know I suppose).

[chadlink in reply to Hannah_at_APP]

Thank you. She does seem to be coping well. Our doctor had her on a very low dose but therapeutic dose of lithium so she had us increase that and then start using Ativan again at night as a sleep aid. In addition we are also having move help. We went out yesterday evening for haircuts and grocery and it doesn’t sound like she experienced any stressors or anxiety. Which is good!

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to chadlink]

Hi chadlink

Good to hear that the doctor's medication review seems to have helped your wife, as she didn't appear to have any stressors or anxiety when you went out. You are doing a great job of being aware and supportive and I'm glad you are also having more help. Take care.