I explained in my first post a few weeks ago that I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child. While I did suffer from a small amount of anxiety I am now having frequent panic attacks and constantly scared. I have been going to a doctor twice a week and it seems to be helping but my question is this, I am constantly thinking about dying. It really scares me that I could die and that eventually I will die, is this normal anxiety or something else? I find myself crying over it and when I start thinking about it is usually when I start having my scary thoughts and feel as if I can't catch my breath. Anyone else go through this? Also when I do have scary thoughts I get this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach like I may actually do something and I get very scared like I may not have control over what I do, does this sound normal, well like normal anxiety?

Yes, that is completely normal for people who suffer from anxiety. I can ASSURE you, you will not do anything to yourself even when you're feeling those intense feelings. It's certainly an unsettling and uncomfortable feeling that's being brought on by your thoughts. Just remember they're only thoughts. I think your obsessive thoughts may be linked to other anxious thoughts or feelings you're having. Is there anything currently stressing you out? I know when I'm really stressed (even though I'm convinced at the time that I'm not stressed at all) I start obsessing over a symptom or over a thought and it takes my mind completely away from what's really bothering me. When you're going through that, it's not so easy to see what's really going on.
Hope I could help a bit, don't worry, you're perfectly normal.

When I was pregnant with my second child (three years ago) I was constantly worried about dying. I also had a 14 mos old baby at the time. My fear of dying began shortly after he was born. Then, once I got pregnant again, the fear was even worse. At every doctor appt I was so nervous and always thought something was going to go wrong. I thought for sure that I was going to die giving birth! I thought that there were signs all around me warning me of it too. Just another way your mind messes with you. See, I didn't know that all these thoughts were anxiety. I didn't want to tell anyone of my fears because I didn't think anyone else thought this way. It was very stressful. But....in the long run, I had a completely healthy pregnancy and a beautiful little boy was born just fine. So, I worried for absolutely NO reason, but it really did ruin my pregnancy experience. We are possibly thinking of trying for our third come this summer. I have to admit, I'm nervous, but am feeling ready. Hope I helped to let you know that YES, it is just ANXIETY! Good luck!! I'll be thinking of you.
JEN

Hi girl! Yes, this sounds like "normal" anxiety if there is any such thing! None of it is fun. I just had my third child and suffered what I thought was postpartum anxiety and depression, with many of the feelings you have described. However, after trying an antidepressant and not receiving total relief, my doctor checked my thyroid. It was really out of whack. Also, four years ago when I first had anxiety, my levels were off then also, but not as bad. Unfortunately, four years ago no-one treated the thyroid and now it's worse, so please, have your doctor rule out a thyroid imbalance. It could help a lot if you do. Also, try to take care of yourself. Ask for help, get dinner delivered and read things that are uplifting. I'll be praying for you. good luck

Iluvnate, yes there is a high amount of stress around my house. My husbands contract was up with the military last year so we moved with the promise of a lot of money at his current job. So far we have disconnection notices for everything, creditors calling daily, and are probably going to get evicted soon because we have been having trouble paying rent. My husband has been working 12 and 15 hour days 7 days a week just to keep food on the table. I also work and go to school both full time and from home so that makes some added stress and I have two little ones to run after. It is just very strange to me because sometimes it's not even that I am scared of dying now but death in general. I try to close my eyes and I kind of picture myself as a skeleton in my coffin and sometimes I feel the same way looking at my husband. Like I get this irrational fear that someday we are all going to die and even though I try to tell myself it is silly to spend my life worried about it, it scares the hell out of me. I think about when will it happen and how, and how someday I will just not exist. And the thoughts about hurting myslef or people is so unlike me. I would never hurt anyone but sometimes I feel like I won't be able to help it, I watch the news about women hurting their families and I wonder if this is how they started out too. Then I am scared to be around my kids. I watched a show the other day where a man took his eyes out and now I can't stop thinking that I am going to do that to myself. I did notice that I usually start feeling like this around late afternoon when I get exhausted. I get that spacey feeling like I am dreaming which I think is caused by being so tired. I try to go outside and get air or laying down but then I just have more time to think. I am hoping this gets better after the pregnancy and not worse and I have read every book imaginable and have really been trying to cope. Sorry this was such a long reply and they did check my thyroid when I thought that part of it was physical, like the trouble breathing and rapid heartbeat. Everything checked out fine and then I convinced myself I had a brain tumor that was causing me to have these thoughts and feel this way which I am sure it's not but I still wonder sometimes. Also will I ever be able to watch my movies and shows again? I can't watch anything scary or remotely violent without getting strange thoughts or being really freaked out. I am starting to really miss my horror movies and doctor shows.