ANXIETY

Ever since my son was born last October I have had the WORST anxiety ever. Over small things, stuff I can't control, nightmares, big crowds ect. I have never had anxiety ever in my life and I have noo idea why I have it... It really is starting to effect my life I think. I get worked up over small things, i never want to go out (although i do it) and what not.
I have also lost a ton of weight this last year and i can't seem to keep any weight on now. I am 5 8 and i have always weighed at LEASt 160, I am down to like 110 lbs.. i know these two things are not really related but it seems my mental state is getting worse with every pound i lose it is so strange.

i don't even know what to do or where to go.My husband thinks i am overreacting and doesn't understand how anxious i feel ALL THE TIME!

anyone else with anxiety? how do you cope? should i see a doctor?

I have GAD.. I'm pregnant right now, so I can't take much, but its bad enough that they want me to take something.. so I take Vistaril for now..

In the past, I've used weed and booze to cope.. lol.. (alcohol is hit or miss tho.. sometimes it makes it worse.. and weed doesn't work if you're not used to it and you smoke too much.. then it just makes you paranoid)

Now, onto more healthy coping mechanisms.. lol.. I argue with myself.. I try to rationalize and explain to myself all of the reasons why worrying isn't helping.. I also try to distract myself.. Take a warm bath.. listen to music.. watch tv.. watch movie.. read book.. take your mind off of whatever it is.. Call someone and tell them about it so that they can help you reason yourself back down a little.. it doesn't always work, but sometimes it does..

And yes, see a doctor. See a doctor or a counselor or a psychiatrist.. any one of them can help you.. doctor might just give you an anxiety med/antidepressant or whatever.. a counselor will teach you coping skills, and a psychiatrist will help you find the best medication for your symptoms and monitor you on those meds to determine if they are right or if you need something different or a different dose or something.. regular doctor can pretty much do the same thing, but with less expertise.

Oh.. and cigarettes.. lmao.. Cigarettes are a great coping skill if you don't mind the cancer thing..   During really bad unmedicated times, I was a bit of a chain smoker.. then I learned about E-cigarettes which are way less deadly.. but still not good for pregnancy (they still have nicotine).

I'm going through this now. I say see your doc. Just talking helps me feel better for a day or two. I've got some serious depression going on too and I can't loose weight for anything.

yes, i have anxiety and it did get worse after having kids, this wont get better on its own, you could have a hormonal imbalance. im from wisconsin too btw! you shouldnt have to live like that hun!

I had PPA after my daughter was born last October. I started taking Vitamin D and coming up with plans to manage the anxiety and get out of the house to the places I wasn't comfortable with. For example for big crowds my main anxiety was illness so I actually went out with hand sanitizer, gloves, and chlorox wipes a couple times in a bit less crowded areas to work myself up. It wasn't perfect at first but each trip got easier and eventually I didn't feel the need for the plans and preventative measures. If it hadn't helped I would've gotten a therapist. Some days even though it's much better I wish I had gotten the professional help earlier since they probably would've helped me find those coping skills quicker.

On the weight loss I think you should talk to your general doctor and find out if they think it's in direct relation to the anxiety or a hormonal or nutritional issue so they can then refer you to therapist, endocrinologist, or nutritionist as they see best to help. Hope some of that helps!

thank yuo everyone! i don't really want to take meds but i can't live llike this. My kids have no idea and only my husbands knows....
My heart races, i get sweaty it is AWFUL i feel like i am going to puke. ugh having to put on a fake face is not something i have ever done but i have had to this last year. i feel like everyone will judge me.

Quoting LysW:" thank yuo everyone! i don't really want to take meds but i can't live llike this. My kids have no ... [snip!] ... to put on a fake face is not something i have ever done but i have had to this last year. i feel like everyone will judge me. "

I know how you feel about not wanting to take meds.. but since I've struggled with this my entire life, there came a point where I just had to say 'enough is enough.' I was exhausted by it.. exhausted with struggling to control it, frequently failing, "self-medicating" with substances.. doing whatever I could to manage it and still failing.

Of course, even counseling and meds don't "cure" it.. But for me there came a time when I was just too smurfing exhausted to keep holding it down without help.. and treating it (whether through counseling, meds, or both) will dramatically improve the quality of your life and the lives of those you love who are affected by it.

Quoting ✰ johnna ✰:" I know how you feel about not wanting to take meds.. but since I've struggled with this my entire life, ... [snip!] ... meds, or both) will dramatically improve the quality of your life and the lives of those you love who are affected by it."

I agree. I am not totally against medication I just would want to wait til I am done breastfeeding. Are any meds BF safe? Who would I ask? I have an appointment soon for my yearly check up, i guess i could ask then.


I don't think my husband realizes how much it is effecting me.

Quoting LysW:" I agree. I am not totally against medication I just would want to wait til I am done breastfeeding. Are ... [snip!] ... soon for my yearly check up, i guess i could ask then. I don't think my husband realizes how much it is effecting me. "

I'm taking Vistaril as needed ... and it appears to be safe for pregnancy and BF.

Quoting ✰ johnna ✰:" I'm taking Vistaril as needed ... and it appears to be safe for pregnancy and BF."

okay thank you! is it a daily med?

Quoting LysW:" okay thank you! is it a daily med? "

Its an "as needed" med... you can take one or two every six hours as needed..

I have been dealing with anxiety since I was young. But for me the anxiety turned into full blown panic attacks after I had my daughter. I have panic attacks about everything and if I would let it, it would overtake my life. I already don't drive and refuse to stay at home alone because I'm afraid something will happen to me and no one will get to me in time. I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack, brain tumor, aneurism, etc. I have physical symptoms because of the panic like seeing spots, hyperventilating and more that makes me actually think I'm dying. Ive tried anti-depressants but I haven't found one for me yet. I do once in a while when a doctor will give it to me take Klonopin or Ativan and that helps some. I feel like when people hear me talk about it they probably think I'm crazy but It's a very real thing and it actually affects a lot of people. Good Luck to you. I hope you can find a way to help control it!!