When to seek help
Anxiety and worry are very common during pregnancy and the early years of parenting. It can be an emotional and overwhelming time, and it can be difficult to know whether what you are feeling is “normal” or if you might need help. You know yourself best. If you feel like something is wrong, trust your instinct and speak to your GP, Midwife, or Health Visitor.
Consider the following…
- Do your symptoms feel excessive?
- Do you feel like you can’t stop worrying, even though you want to?
- Do your symptoms make you feel physically unwell (e.g., with rapid pulse and breathing, excess sweating, feeling dizzy, faint or sick)?
- Do your feelings stop you from getting a good night’s sleep?
- Are you experiencing regular panic attacks?
- Do you have persistent, unwelcome, intrusive thoughts that you feel like you can’t control?
- Do your symptoms interfere with your life (e.g., relationships, your ability to work or carry out daily tasks, or how you look after yourself)?
If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, you might want to consider asking for support.
We understand that it can be difficult to talk about your feelings, especially if you are in a cycle of overthinking, but the sooner you access support, the quicker these difficult feelings will settle.
It is important to remember, perinatal anxiety is common – you are not alone.
If left untreated, perinatal anxiety can lead to long-term difficulties, including postnatal depression, and it can negatively affect your relationship with your baby.
There are many safe treatment options, ranging from practical guidance and peer-led social support to medication. You’ll be able to discuss treatment options and find the best approach for you and your family.
Some people are worried they are wasting a professional’s time by asking for help, and that perinatal anxiety is not a ‘real problem’. Others may fear being labelled as a bad parent or believe that opening up about their symptoms might result in them being separated from their baby. None of these fears are true.
You will not be wasting anyone’s time by talking to them about your mental health; perinatal anxiety is very real, and nobody will label you as a bad mum. Healthcare professionals will want to help you – they will want to keep your family together and support you as a unit.
How to seek help
See the link below for help in taking the first steps in seeking help.
Continue to find out more about perinatal anxiety by clicking on the links below.
