Define anxiety
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| Mon, 12-18-2006 - 1:58pm |
Hello everyone, I've been lurking, well looking really for a place to talk. Can someone define anxiety? How do you know if you're fears are anxiety realated. I'm so tense, and stressed and I just can't take a breath and relax. Let me first start by saying that I've recently had a baby, she's 10 weeks old, I've spoken to my doctor and she does not think I have post partum depression. She thinks im just having trouble adjusting, but seriosly I don't know what to do anymore.
I've recently returned to work after six weeks of maternity leave. Its a nightmare. My dd is home with my MIL who lives with us, and all should be well but I can't get over how I feel. I'm just so sad. She has colic and its been really hard on all of us. I fear that my daughter will think i've abandoned her. I get to go home at lunch time and see her, and everytime she's in a terrible crying fit. I feel like she misses me and thinks that I've left her. I feel like she's going to resent me. I know shes only an infant and all. I feel so stupid for even writing this because I don't think any of it makes sence. I just can't turn it off, the constant worry that is. I can't let go. I don't know how I'm supposed to do it all. I know I have issues with control, and I really need to learn to accept help but I just can't. I get so panicked when things aren't done. I feel like I have to work all day long, and then go home and do my "chores" there, when all I want to do is hold the baby.
Now that I've gotten off on a tangent, do you all think that I might have some sort of anxiety, or do you all think this is just normal post partum worries?



Hi, Julie & welcome to our caring community. We are not able to give you a diagnosis. That must be done by a professional.
From my experiences & from reading about anxiety, it is very possible that you have valid concerns. Many of us on the board have had symptoms like yours after giving birth. It is a stressful time. It's hard to get organized when you're running on empty, so to speak. I am sure you are overworked & lacking sleep. If you're nursing that beautiful baby, your body is being drained, as well. A line is crossed when we are unable to function in our daily lives. IMHO, I would find a doctor that listens closely to what you're saying & gives you the attention you need. If you talked with your ob/gyn, then see your family dr. If you talked to your family dr. then see your ob/gyn. Copy the post that you typed to the board & hand it to the dr. I wish you the best of luck! There is help & hope for you.
What Are the Different Kinds of Anxiety Disorders?
Panic Disorder—Repeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning. Physical symptoms include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder—Repeated, unwanted thoughts or compulsive behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—Persistent symptoms that occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as rape or other criminal assault, war, child abuse, natural or human-caused disasters, or crashes. Nightmares, flashbacks, numbing of emotions, depression, and feeling angry, irritable or distracted and being easily startled are common. Family members of victims can also develop this disorder.
Phobias—Two major types of phobias are social phobia and specific phobia. People with social phobia have an overwhelming and disabling fear of scrutiny, embarrassment, or humiliation in social situations, which leads to avoidance of many potentially pleasurable and meaningful activities. People with specific phobia experience extreme, disabling, and irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger; the fear leads to avoidance of objects or situations and can cause people to limit their lives unnecessarily.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder—Constant, exaggerated worrisome thoughts and tension about everyday routine life events and activities, lasting at least six months. Almost always anticipating the worst even though there is little reason to expect it; accompanied by physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, or nausea.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anxiety.html
Please be kind to yourself. Post anytime with questions or concerns. Read the past posts & take a look @ our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. We care. GBU! (((hugs))) jan
Hi Julie & welcome to our community!
Sheri Ann