How do I know if I have postpartum anxiety?

[rzberrymom]

I've taken the quizzes for postpartum depression, and I don't think I have it. But, I keep seeing postpartum anxiety mentioned--this seems to describe what happened to me after DD arrived. I have HORRIBLE anxiety about her crying, and DH and I end up in these awful arguments because I panic that something will go wrong or because I can't make it stop. We live in Europe for a few years and we intended to travel, but we haven't done much so far because I panic about DD too much (mostly about her crying).

It's gotten better as she gets older (she's 2 now), but it still hasn't gone away. DH thinks I just need to imagine what's the worst that could happen, but that's not helping me. Needless to say, it's definitely affecting my relationship with DH.

And I wasn't like this before I had DD (but then again, I never had anything this stressful in my life before--even graduate school was a breeze compared to this).

I'm not sure how to evaluate myself--does this sound like PP anxiety? Or are there any quizzes (similar to the PPD ones) for PP anxiety?

I live in a country where I don't speak the language, so my access to resources is kind of limited--finding a therapist here would be pretty hard (but then again, we could hardly afford it). But, I wanted to at least understand what might be going on with me.

[daniedb]

SOunds like me. Depression and anxiety are intimately connected, and often comorbid. When I have depressive times, it's always accompanied by anxiety. Every person manifests depression symptoms uniquely, and mine happens to be anxiety. As soon as I start to feel that way, it's my red flag that I need to be on the lookout for a bout of depression.

It sounds like something that you should definitely seek treatment for, it helps a great deal. My PPD/anxiety is helped, but not alleviated, by therapy alone, so I also take meds to control it. Otherwise, I just simply can't function because I'm wired so tightly.

Hugs, and best wishes to you.

[kgurrl]

RE: How do I know if I have postpartum anxiety?

I have 3 children 8, 4, and 18 months old. I have been diagnosed manic, with post partum depression, and with anxiety disorder. I can't diagnose you but I can tell you this. If you feel there is a problem, speak to your doctor about it, and keep communication between you and your husband as open as possible. His support is crucial right now. In my personal opinion, you sound like every other anxious first time mommy on the planet, and maybe your baby is colicky? (crying more than what is normal). My second child was colicky and oh..my...gosh... he drove me INSANE. Cried and cried and cried. Then he got thrush. Now he is turning four and he's still whiny (lol), but I'm used to it now. When I had my first baby, and I kid you not, I stared at the formula cans for a good two hours reading the directions over and over crying my eyes out. I thought I'd never figure out how to mix it and feed her. I was exhausted and ill after having her and all alone. It was overwhelming. I called my mother to come over and bathe her because she screamed when I tried to bathe her. It turned out the water was too cool. Now my oldest is 8 years old and my youngest 18 months old and you know what? I still go into a complete panic when any one of them cries. I send my husband or someone else to check if they are okay because I am too afraid to face an emergency (like blood). Mind you, my daughter split her head open at 2 years old, had stitches 3 times by kindergarten and dislocated her thumb in grade 1. Those are just a few of the emergencies I dealt with as a single mom leading to my panics. Now besides that, what parent doesn't fall apart inside when their kid is crying and they feel they have no control over it? You are fine and it WILL get better. But if you're worried about losing control during these crying outbreaks or just losing your sanity you should DEFINITELY talk to the doc. No one needs to face these issues alone. Their is always help and support if you go out and get it. Good luck and blessings to you and your family.

[tansyflower]

PPD anxiety for me was like this:
constant knots & butterflies in my stomach
shaking
rapid heart rate
sweats
skin crawling
obsessive/intrusive thoughts
irrational fears
the inability to leave the house or handle social situations
nightmares

I often felt like someone was chasing me with a loaded gun or like a knife was at my throat even while in the midst of normal activities such as grocery shopping or changing diapers! Mentally I knew it was completely irrational but the physical and emotional reality of it was still very present and real. If you are feeling any of these symptoms on a regular basis I would say it is PPD.

Otherwise it may be life-stress, which is completely normal especially when DD cries! I was panicky with my first DS as a new parent but it was situational. When he cried, when he was sick...all those times when I was completely at a loss and feeling insecure as a mother. Rescue Remedy can help. It is a natural homeopathic. You can get it at the health food store in a mouthspray to carry in your purse. It does not rid you of the anxiety but can take it down a notch to get you through the moment

These links were really helpful to me. DH read them, too~it really helped him to understand how I was feeling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-partum_depression
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety