Types of perinatal anxiety
This page contains information about the different types of anxiety disorders commonly experienced during the perinatal period.
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Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterised by anxious feelings relating to a wide range of events, experiences, or situations, on most days. Worries may be centred around the baby and your own health, but these worries have likely been ongoing for at least six months and may also extend to other aspects of life. Typically, people recover within a year, and sooner if they access treatment.
A diagnosis of GAD can be made if you have had symptoms for more than 6 months.
Symptoms include:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Muscle tension
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbance
- Irritability
Panic disorder
Panic disorder involves sudden, intense panic attacks, often with no clear trigger. You may feel out of control, unsafe, or detached from reality, and experience symptoms such as a racing heart, shaking, hyperventilation (or other unusual breathing patterns), dizziness, or sweating. Fear of future attacks can make the anxiety worse, so it’s important to break the cycle by seeking professional help.
Panic disorder symptoms can also be present in other anxiety disorders and medical conditions, so it is essential to discuss these symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is characterised by an intense fear of social or performance situations, or of unfamiliar people, and is often worse when there is fear of judgement by others.
Examples are a party or a job interview. It is normal to feel nervous before an interview, but social anxiety is more than this. Even the most trivial of social interactions can cause distress. Symptoms are like other anxiety disorders, and panic attacks may also occur.