what is wrong with me and what kind of doctor do i talk to about it?

[lindseydago]

My mom tells me she thinks i have postpartum depression but im NOT depressed..my beatuiful baby makes me happier than ive ever been in my life! But i worry about everything..and stress myelf out almost to the point where im sick..i told myslef it was normal for all moms to worry like that but my moms said its not. I NEVER have thoughts of hurting my baby..but i do have thoughts and worry about other people hurting her. It gets really bad at night when it gets dark and i put her to bed. I lock all the doors and windows and turn on the alarm and i even have her sleep next to me bc im so scared of someone breaking in and stealing her or hurting her..It makes me feel sick to my stomach thinking about what sick people could do! I tell my fionce how i worry and he said its bc im a good mom and i love her so much..but ive been feeling very anxious about everything..and short temperd.. and i have kind of losss intrest in my sex life bc all i do is worry about taking care of the house and the baby im just not myslef. i havnt talked to anyone about it bc i didnt think there was anythig wrong with me seeing as how my baby makes me so happy and i love her so much.. Should i talk to my family doc about this or my OB?

[HappyHappyMommy]

lindseydago, congratulations on your baby girl. I'm not very familiar with this, but I am aware that postpartum anxiety is sometimes considered to be a "sister" to PPD and that some people experience only postpartum anxiety (without depression) and others experience both anxiety and depression. Your OB or family doc might be very good resources, but may not be very experienced with PPD or postpartum anxiety as non-mental-health care providers' experience and knowledge of mental health issues really varies in my experience and from what I've read. Other resources to consider are therapists or support groups for PPD. Even if your symptoms are just related to anxiety, someone with an expertise and experience with postpartum depression will likely have information about postpartum anxiety if she herself is not experienced with postpartum anxiety. I'm sending good wishes to you.

I also wanted to bump your post so that other mamas on this board with more experience can respond. Mamas, any suggestions for this new mama?
 

[VBACmama4]

When my first baby was born I used to have nightmares all the time.. it was 11 years ago but I remember them like I was watching a horror movie. In these dreams, I would forget to feed him, or forget he was in the house and leave. It was so disturbing that I thought something was seriously wrong with me. After a few months it subsided and I learned what a great mom I am, so it got better for me. But I'll tell ya.. I have 4 children now and the fear that something could happen to them is still a huge source of anxiety for me. If you're familiar with the Jerry Sandusky case, where the coach was abusing boys on his team, that hit a nerve for me. I have 4 boys - it was terrifying. Anytime something like that makes news I feel that fear all over again. 

I talk to my husband about it, my sister, my mother in law, and I feel better knowing that every parent has similar fears. Some are more sensitive to them, like you, and you might benefit from talking to a counselor just to get a perspective from someone who doesn't know you personally. They might say you're totally fine and it's just parental worry that will ease as your baby gets older or they might say you have signs of depression or anxiety (depression isn't necessarily presenting ALL the symptoms, there are many different ones). 

In the meantime, you could have a security system installed, keep your doors locked, keep an eye on your baby and continue to be an attentive, wonderful mother. I hope you find a middle ground that helps you feel less scared while you enjoy your baby :)

[womenswisdom]

Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD) can be widely varying, from depression to anxiety to obsessive-compulsive disorder. If your symptoms are interfering with your life (which is sounds like they are), then getting some help would probably be a very good idea. Check this site for more information and resources: http://www.postpartum.net/. You don't have to live with this level of anxiety and there are treatments available, some of which would be therapy, supplements, or prescription medication (if you are breastfeeding, there are meds considered safe for that as well).

[weliveintheforest]

I think your family doctor should be able to help, but you might also want to talk to a naturopath.  I experienced PP anxiety and depression and a naturopath was able to help me quit e abit with some supplements and nutrition advice, and with my second I also used homeopathics and accupuncture.  

[anyalily]

Originally Posted by lindseydago 

i do have thoughts and worry about other people hurting her. It gets really bad at night when it gets dark and i put her to bed. I lock all the doors and windows and turn on the alarm and i even have her sleep next to me bc im so scared of someone breaking in and stealing her or hurting her..

I had a touch of PPD after I had my daughter and I used to get waves of anxiety. They expanded into intrusive thoughts like the ones you described. My anxiety got really unpleasant and I would have weeks at a time where it happened everyday.

I found a great psychologist who works with trauma, PTSD and does EMDR, which I found to be life changing. He also takes a "non-pathological approach" which means he did not diagnose me with something, just recognized the symptoms of OCD and PTSD, and we worked to mitigate them. It worked amazing fast (one of the many great things about EMDR is that one or two sessions does what many weeks or months of talk therapy can do.)

It is like all the traumatic things that had ever happened to me came up after I had my daughter, making me worry and make weird choices. I am living without these symptoms now and I'm even TTC again, which used to be a huge trigger for me.

The thing I will do differently this time around is to see my therapist monthly throughout the pregnancy and after the birth so I can mitigate any reemerging symptoms nice and early.

Good luck, Mama!

[LynnS6]

One really common form of PPD is Postpartum Anxiety. It can sometimes occur with postpartum OCD as well. The kind of worrying that you're doing is NOT typical. The thoughts you're having of someone breaking in and harming your baby are also not typical. Those are called intrusive thoughts. This page does a nice job of describing the symptoms of various postpartum mood disorders: http://www.babybluesconnection.org/bbc/learn-more/symptoms/#Postpartum%20Anxiety%20and/or%20Panic%20Disorder

Contact your doctor or midwife. If they can't help you, as for a referral to someone who specializes in postpartum mood issues. You can also contact PostPartum Support International. http://www.postpartum.net/

Good luck! I had PPD/Anxiety and it was easily treated with medication that was very safe for breastfeeding.

[proudMoMmy2634]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom 

Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD) can be widely varying, from depression to anxiety to obsessive-compulsive disorder. If your symptoms are interfering with your life (which is sounds like they are), then getting some help would probably be a very good idea. Check this site for more information and resources: http://www.postpartum.net/. You don't have to live with this level of anxiety and there are treatments available, some of which would be therapy, supplements, or prescription medication (if you are breastfeeding, there are meds considered safe for that as well).

Very well said.

I also suggest consulting your OB. They will probably give you some advice regarding some steps you need to do.

What I know is they will just give some counseling and suggest that you have some support group to help you. 

Don't worry, we also experience this but not too much because we have someone to count on in case something happens. Maybe talking to your husband with your thoughts in losing your child might also loosen your burden. goodluck!