Post natal anxiety

[New_mumma]

Baby is 4 weeks old.

Since she was a week old, I've been constantly getting flat and then started to get anxiety.

I last had anxiety about 4 years ago which was finance related as I was made redundant.

What triggered this anxiety was hearing about friends of mine potentially separating. They have since been working through things.

But it has made me question my relationship. I fear that it can crumble.

​I get the anxiety build up in the late afternoon to early evening, which I think is related to me being a tired new mum.

I am taking medication at the moment as a short term option until I start counseling and the I might go onto an antidepressant.

Im honestly sick is feeling this anxiety and saddness.

Im looking for hope that things will get better

[MarkJT]

Hey new_mumma, congrats on the little one! Such exciting times.

Okay so have you tried mindfulness to combat the anxiety?

If you have not, it has helped me greatly with my anxiety. There are a couple of apps that are really good - Smiling Mind and Buddhify. Download them and see how you go.

There is also PTSD Coach which has a really good breathing exercise so when you are feeling anxious, you can use this to ground yourself and settle down.

Let me know if you have been doing it or your thoughts on it and we will go from there.

Just have to learn to control the brain!

Mark.

[Starwolf]

Hi New_Mumma, welcome to the forums.

Caring for a newborn is a daunting task. It does take its toll and can easily trigger bouts of anxiety. Adding to friends' potential separation, there's been a lot of extra stress to deal with.

When relationships break down -or threaten to- around us, it makes us question where ours could be going. It brings home the fact that people can grow apart. Do you have any reasons to believe your relationship is in trouble or is it anxiety making you view it through a dark filter ? Exhaustion tends to promote negative thinking. Pregnancy and childbirth can play havoc at all levels. There's a lot of physical, mental, emotional changes happening all at once to throw us out of balance.

Is your husband/partner supportive ? Can you talk with someone within your family ?

I'm glad counseling is on the cards. But having to wait for an appointment can be nerve wracking. Meanwhile, Mark has given you good advice re coping strategies. It would be worth looking into them.

Please feel free to post as much and as often as you wish. Navigating the forums may help distract your mind away from where you don't want it to go. There will always be people willing to just listen or connect and interact.

Kindest thoughts.

[New_mumma]

I downloaded the apps and hoping to give them a go.

​I see a psychologist Wednesday and will continue short term medication​ from there.

Will keep in touch.

Thank you