Anxiety attacks after PP

[vlk86]

Hi All,

Have any of you suffered with anxiety attacks after PP. If so, how did you deal with it? What did you find helped? I have been having anxiety attacks on and off for 3 years after PP and I never had them before PP. Some of them are triggered by PP related memories, some of them by some of them by other things, like worrying about the future after my son's recent diagnosis with muscular dystroph.

[JAnuaryX]

Yes. I suffer with anxiety attacks I had pp 5 years ago with the birth of my son.

Followed by anxiety and depression.

I recently had another spell of anxiety and tried to manage it with diazepam to calm me- this helped a little.

I make notes of things I’d like to get done each day or throughout the week seems to help. Make lists of things I need from the shops as I go along then get it all at once.

Listening to music helps me

or if your very Shaken up try running on the spot and use the anxiety as energy to burn off then relax.

Remember nothing can hurt you.

With your sons diagnosis I can’t say I can relate, maybe doing research into the diagnosis and speaking with health care teams to help you with your questions and worries. To then put plans in place for support x

[hgallo Volunteer]

Hi vlk86, similar to yourself and the JanuaryX I have suffered on and off with anxiety since having PP 4.5 years ago. I find it particularly bad in loud and crowded places. January X's tips are great. I have sertraline prescribed which helps a bit. For myself I find controlling my breathing helps too. I find yoga very good for calming me too (though may not be too practical in the middle of a busy place!)

It sounds like you've got a lot on your plate at the moment with your son's recent diagnosis. Have you got support for yourself too?

Take care and keep in touch with us, x

[Revans86 Volunteer]

Hi Vlk86,

So sorry that you too had PP. And also sorry to hear about your sons muscular dystrophy. You’ve got an awful lot on by the sound of it. Being a mummy is a worry enough, without navigating health care and diagnoses for your child too. It must be a worry for you.

I have had a few issues with anxiety. I found medication was helpful for when it was at its worst. Also exercise really helps me. Everyone is different though so it’s trial and error really. I also keep a little book of images of our family from good days and little happy notes about things that have happened to look back on.

I haven’t had any attacks of anxiety, as in panic attacks so my tips might not be that relevant. But know you’re not alone in feeling this way. Pop back to your doctor if needed, maybe talking to someone would help. I know I found counselling super helpful.

Take care and thinking of you xx

[mfc83]

Hi vlk86,

Sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis, it is totally normal that you feel anxious about it. I had anxiety before PP sometimes, now I just quit olanzapine 1 month ago and I feel it more often. What I found works best for me is to get out of my chest all my worries. This could mean talking with somebody about it but can also be done by writing. The most important thing is to get the worries out of your head and a good crying session also helps to calm down anxiety.