I never had problems with nerves or anxiety until I was 32 weeks pregnant and I had a panic attack. It was 7 weeks later that I learned what I was suffering from (ANXIETY). I am in week 2 of the program but don't seem any better. My hormones are totally out of whack and I have read hormonal imbalance causes anxiety. My baby is 7 weeks now and does not sleep much during the day or at night. How do I get better with lack of sleep and having my first baby? Any comments please!!

Hey Kayla. my son is just shy of turning 1. my dr told me i have possible late post partum. i have also just started week 2 of the program and i like you, havent felt better as of yet, but as lucinda says, sometimes the anxiety /depression may get worse before it gets better, because you are learning to deal with the anxiety. but once you LET yourself have a panic attack and stop fighting it, and learn that the effects of the attack dont hurt you, you will become less afraid of them! so im with you on your recovery and we will both get through this ! stay positive hun, it WILL get better. i also think week three will be good. i think thats the one on negative self talk and turning it to positive

Are you using the relaxation portion daily? I am on week 5 and have noticed a slight difference from week 3 on. Any chance your husband can let you nap after he gets home from work while he stays up with the baby?

Thanks for your info. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but it feels good to know I'm not alone in this. My husband is quite exhausted as well and I don't think he truely understands exactly how I feel (what man does unless they have given birth). He works about 9 hours a day and helps me at night so he is not getting any sleep either. I know I have to stay positive and tell myself I will get through this. I have tried Effexer and Zoloft but they make me feel depressed, unable to eat to where I can't control my feelings or take care of my baby. I am taking Xanex .25 mg per day when needed, but I don't want to become dependent on medicenes. (no offense to anyone who is taking them). They do work well for some people. I am going to see a lady in Indiana next week that is an iridiologist and herbologist. She is going to give me vitamins & minerals as she said my body is starving for nutrients and also natural herbs to help balance back out the hormones. If this fails I am going to the doctor again and try anti depressants because I am going back to work next week and know it will even be harder to cope with then. I do think going back to work will help with thinking about the way I feel. I hopefully will be too occupied to think about it all day and getting away from the baby may be good as I have been sitting in the house with him for 7 weeks. I love him more than anything but he has acid reflux and colic and has a mean temper to be so little. Just remember god is with us and sees everything. He will give us the strenth we need to get better.

Hi Kayla:

No wonder you are feeling anxious, overtired, mentally, emotionally and physically fatigued! You are not getting enough sleep, your homones are re-adjusting and your sweet baby has colic and acid reflux and cries. I am assuming he is your first. You must feel overwhelmed! I love my children and feel blessed to have them as well, but they can be very trying on the nerves. Give yourself permission to feel anxious and overwhelmed...normal reaction to motherhood. Maybe going back to work will be a good diversion for you...also, getting out of the house and seeing other adults helps out tremendously. I think when we are exposed to constant strain (good or bad) we put ourselves at risk for anxiety. Please use the relaxation tape as much as you possibly can squeeze in your day. Take some time for yourself and if you choose to go on meds, please still stick with the program because it will help you with coping skills that we all need for parenting. Keep praying to God and be good to yourself. I know how hard it is to do this when you have a new life depending on you 24/7, but the #1 rule to any new mom has to be that you need to find time for yourself. Good luck...

Sidd
Thanks for your response. I am going to stick with the program even if the anxiety is hormone related. You never know when you will need the skills to cope again in your life. It is great to know other people understand and have faith.

Your Welcome Kayla. Hang in there....you'll get through this. Is that your gorgeous baby??? Enjoy all the good moments with him...they'll build you up also.

Hello Sidd
The picture is not my son Zackary but if I figure out how to post his picture I will. When I signed in this picture was an option so I chose it since it reminded me of him. I listened to session 2 again today and I think I got more out of it. I am writing notes while listening and then typing them. I am working on a biography about my life story dealing with anxiety and also the skills from the video. A lot of people in my family have anxiety so hopefully when I recover I will be able to share my story and teach them how to overcome it.

Kayla...that's an excellent idea about the book. What a real gift you can give to others to help them and you will be a true testament for them. I think that in part, that is why they want us to write every day as well. It's good to keep track of our personal progress.

I had real bad postpartum depression & anxiety. It started the day I had my son. I suffered for 8 months, tried all the meds but could not take them. Then my husband got me this program. It was the only thing that helped me get over it. I had alot of anxiety for the first few lessons. But eventually the program did help me alot. I owe my life back to this program, so please stick with it. It works, but its not ovenight. It took me months to finally get my life back. But persistence was the key and acceptance. The other thing that I did was go back to work. That also helped me alot. I found that the distraction of work really worked for me. Being at home with nobody but a baby to talk to just made my mind anxious. I am now doing great. My son is 2 1/2 now and I still have anxiety now and then. He is in the terrible twos now, and the skills that I got from the program have helped me deal with the tantrums and stresses of motherhood. Hang in there. You are not alone or crazy. You are just going through a very stressful time in your life that triggerd your anxiety. You will get through it. If I did, anyone can. I was non functional. And now I'm doing great. Feel free to private message me if you need support.

Rose

Kayla,
I'm glad to hear you are seeing an herbologist, this may help. I also suffered from anxiety/post partum depression. My doctor at the time suggested B6 and hard exercise, which helped at the time. I am currently 5 months pregnant and have been experiencing anxiety/depression/depersonalization for over a month now. Just tried accupuncture on Saturday, and could not believe how calm I ended up being with my child and husband the rest of the weekend, as well as sleeping very well (first time in weeks without benadryl).

The only other thing I suggest if that if you are nursing or weaning, I remember my hormones were all over the place. Since you've already taken antidep meds, I'll assume no.

Take care and hang in there. It does get better. Use the relaxation tape when you can. If you listen to it low enough, you should still be able to hear baby when napping.

Lucie

Thanks for your replies. It is great to know that other women have experienced what I am going through and are now doing better. I would not wish this on anybody but it helps to know you are not alone. I am seeing a phsycologist tomorrow and will see the herbologist on Wednesday. I am praying it helps balance my crazy hormones. If not I will take a drug reaction test to see how my body metabolizes anti depressants and to see which miligram will work best. Hang in there. They say 1 in 5 women suffer from anxiety and postpartum depression. I beleive god gave it to us because he knew we were strong enough to get through it.