How Do You Deal With Anxiety And Panic Attacks During Pregnancy?

12 Comments

1. Joe Davola says:

   November 25, 2009 at 7:04 am

   I’ve been dealing with a really bad anxiety problem for years and am also pregnant. When I got pregnant, my physician took me off of Lexapro and put me on Buspar which is frequently used to treat anxiety during pregnancy. It’s an older medication and considered to be more safe than a lot of others on the market. It is a Pregnancy Category B medication. If your condition is bad enough you feel as though it requires medication, I would definitely talk to your doc about it. I am sure they will be willing to work with you! You can’t be miserable your whole pregnancy, that’s not good for you or the baby. Good luck to you with dealing with this I know it can be tough.
2. Abi says:

   November 25, 2009 at 7:08 am

   I have anxiety. I just have to talk myself through them and tell myself that no one ever died from an anxiety attack and it will pass. I have to keep myself busy if i feel anxious to keep my mind off things. At night I very occasionally take Tylenol Pm (which are safe and approved by my OB. All it is, is Tylenol and Benadryl) if I am having a really hard time getting to sleep. Counseling has helped me in the past. Just having someone to talk things out to helps a great deal sometimes. Try to find what is triggering your attacks and try to avoid those things if possible, at least while you are pregnant. I’m not sure what trimester you are in, but the first trimester is especially hard. Your hormones are going crazy anyway and adding anxiety to that just makes it worse. It does get better. I would stay away from medications if possible. Most of them are a category D. Not good!! In the beginning of pregnancy they can cause birth defects and at the end of pregnancy they can be addictive to the fetus. Good luck. I know how you are feeling!
3. Mommy to 4 boys :) says:

   November 25, 2009 at 7:24 am

   10 golden rules.
   I found these rules at another Internet site. They are made by the American advice columnist Ann Landers and were mentioned as her 10 golden rules for coping with panic.
   1. Remember that although your feelings and symptoms are frightening, they are neither dangerous nor harmful.
   2. Understand that what you are experiencing is merely an exaggeration of your normal reaction to stress.
   3. Do not fight your feelings or try to wish them away. The more willing you are to face them, the less intensive they will become.
   4. Don’t add to your panic by thinking about what “might happen”. If you find yourself asking, “What if?” tell yourself “So what?”.
   5. Stay in the present. Be aware of what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might be.
   6. Label your fear level from zero to 10 and watch it go up and down. Notice that it doesn’t stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds.
   7. When you find yourself thinking about fear, change your “what if” thinking. Focus on and perform some simple, manageable task.
   8. Notice that when you stop thinking frightening thoughts your anxiety fades.
   9. When fear comes, accept it, don’t fight it. Wait and give it time to pass. Don’t try to escape from it.
   10. Be proud of the progress you’ve made. Think about how good you feel when the anxiety has passed and you are in total control and at peace.
4. icandynb says:

   November 25, 2009 at 7:37 am

   Quit whining and take your Midol Scott!
5. Karen says:

   November 25, 2009 at 7:49 am

   http://www.mentalforums.com
   there is a new community for those of us suffering from adhd, panic and anxiety, bipolar, depression, eating, personality, schizoprenia, self injury, physical, mental, sexual, and substance abuse disorders. feel free to come join us today http://www.mentalforums.com
6. caoimhin says:

   November 25, 2009 at 7:59 am

   I drink chamomile tea and I use aroma therapy. Lavender oil or Lavender and candles help me. Sometimes just the act of getting the tea together and lighting the candle helps me get my mind of my anxiety enough to cope with it better.
7. Starsfan says:

   November 25, 2009 at 8:30 am

   Talk to your Dr about it.
   I have never had a panic attack, till a few weeks ago – in the middle of the night, my husband had to call my mum over to help calm me (i dont remember mush about it)
   Drink camomile tea, its very calming…
8. ove my gorgeous baby girl says:

   November 25, 2009 at 9:15 am

   i have seizures and they lead anxiety attack instead due to panicking (was having while pregnant). what i do the majority time to prevent the anxiety attack is take deep breaths slowly and eventually i’ll calm down and be back to myself.
9. true love says:

   November 25, 2009 at 10:12 am

   Now my sistar it must be something bothering you, since you got pregnant well you need to reevaluate your situation and go see you doctor that is not good and if you are taking other meds on your own that is not good.
10. sweetche says:

    November 25, 2009 at 10:24 am

    Best to talk to your Doctor about this one.
    A friend of mine suffers from Anxiety attacks and is TTC. I’m hoping both of you have a safe pregnancy….
    Best of luck
11. Sally P says:

    November 25, 2009 at 10:31 am

    Talk to your doctor about it. There are some safe anxiety medications for women that are pregnant…Try to be careful, you could have a miscariage from stress.
12. Sara M says:

    November 25, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I fell ya. I have had panic attacks since I was 18.
    Here is a GREAT message board to answer all your questions.