Struggling with post natal anxiety and sleep deprivation.

[newtassiemum]

Hi everyone,

I am struggling so much at the moment. My baby is almost 4 months old, and isn't sleeping much at night. I'm getting about 4-5 hours broken each night. Lately even when she is asleep I can't sleep. I hit my head on the car boot a week ago and ever since I've had terrible non stop headaches. When I lay down I feel like my head is burning. I went to one doctor and she said my headaches are due to my anxiety and sleep deprivation. I went to another doctor for a second opinion and while my neurological symptoms checked out fine she offered me a CT scan which I took, and came back normal. I still keep worrying that there's something wrong with my head though, it hurts so much. I'm too scared to sleep as I am scared I won't wake up and that my little girl won't have a mum. It brings me to tears just typing this. I'm currently seeing a psychologist every fortnight but I'm still really struggling.

[MsPurple]

Hi newtassiemum welcome to the bb forums. Sorry it has taken me sometime to get back to you on the forums.Been a busy few days.

Your doctor is right, unfortunately anxiety can cause a range of symptoms including sleeping problems, headaches, hot and cold flushes (could be causing the burning sensation), intrusive thoughts, excessive worrying, excessive fear of death. Having to deal with this along with a newborn baby is a lot to undertake. Have you talked to your partner or any other family member about this? It can be really helpful having family support. I may not be a mother but I know how helpful my family have been to me with my anxiety struggles. I know this maybe cliche but it will get better. You can not see the light at the end of the anxiety tunnel but I promise it is there. It is really good you are seeing a psychologist. Are they helping? Are they good to talk to? I had to go to a second one before I found one that clicked with me. I was struggling with my anxiety and with sleeping and once I found a psychologist and my GP found a regime that worked with me I found I was sleeping better and my anxiety was mostly under control.

If you need someone to talk to before your appointments come and talk to us on the forums. There will always be someone. If you are really struggling you can call the beyond blue hotline. I also use a meditation app called Calm. It helps me relax and guides you through meditation. I find if I do this for 10 minutes before bed time it helps my racing mind shut up so I can sleep

Hope this helps.