Anxiety

Kirsten - posted on 08/18/2009

I agree, I think we all have our moments when we are worried about everything for our children. My mom told me a similar story recently and I was appalled. I feel like I'm always double and triple checking that my son is safe and happy. If you have been feeling constantly anxious for awhile you might want to have your thyroid checked by your doctor. It's a simple blood test. If your thyroid is working too fast (which can happen after pregnancy) then this can cause anxiety, sleeplessness and heart palpitations. I pray that everything is okay and that you can have peace.

Sarah - posted on 08/18/2009

Baby stories like that didn't bother me as much as they do now that I'm a mom. I would say this is normal, but if it starts to affect your everyday life, you'll need to see your doctor.

I have long suffered from panic attacks and have ADHD, so I have meds that I have taken for years to help.

Sounds like there are some obsessive thoughts triggered by the anxiety. I have this problem as well. (Used to be only animal stories, but now babies are added to the mix)



Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder go hand in hand, since OCD is brought on by anxiety. I'm not saying you're OCD, since you don't have a compulsion to act on your obsession.

Also not saying you should take meds, a lot of times, therapy or finding a way to get your mind off of the same thought pattern works well, too.

Regardless, meet w/ your doctor, and go from there because this stuff will wear you out!

Best of luck!

Karen - posted on 08/18/2009

Hi Meghan.

Being concerned about your child's well being is natural and normal. It's a gift of God to love, and care about our children. I must say, it is refreshing to hear of a mother so concerned about her child. I remember when my kids were very small, and I would hear those stories, they caused me a great deal of sorrow as well. I would go and climb in bed with them and just hold them.

You have no need for such worry though. First of all, you need to place your child in God's hands. They are safest there! They belong to him, they are just on loan to us. :-) No matter how much you love your child, God loves and cares for them even more. I know that is hard to imagine, but He was willing to sacrifice His child for your child!

Nothing happens to a child without God's knowledge. You can rest in the fact that even when you are not with them, watching them, and taking care of them, God is there. He never slumbers or sleeps.

Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

He knows the number of hairs on your sons head; and how many he will lose ;-). God knew his name even before you did. And He has a plan for your sons life. God cares for your child. There is no need to worry or fear.

Lydia - posted on 08/18/2009

I think there are few Mums that arent more affected by these stories than they were in their preparent days. However this sounds like a rather extreme reaction. To me this feels like depression - I get more that way when I start delving into another bout of it. I would ask for a referral to a good counsellor. Someone who can help you talk through and deal with the emotions that you are experiencing. It can be hard to believe that it can help but the truth is - for most people - it does. Hopefully things will start getting easier for you soon.

Tina - posted on 08/18/2009

Hi Meghan, I live in Wimberley, so not far away. When I had my first many years ago, I remember reading a Readers Digest story during labor, about a child falling down some deep hole etc. I, a very calm preschool teacher, nearly fell apart right there. I had not even had my baby yet, but suddenly the world was full of land mines. Part of it, I think, is our built in biological need to protect our young. I remember hearing horror stories of children being hurt on the news, and just quietly laying down next to my sleeping little ones, and being grateful. You have just experienced a love that is so not about anything you have ever felt you are shocked at the intensity. It's okay, and though you never stop loving or worrying, your hormones calm, your nerves fray, and life goes on. If it continues to a degree, that you are a complete wreck, talk to your doctor. You may have a more than normal hormonal imbalance. It happens, Believe me, from one used to be overprotective Mom to another........ One day, you will stare down your kid when they interrupt you,....again....on the phone... and say,''Unless you are on fire, Do Not bother me.'' We evolve, us Moms.

Lori - posted on 08/17/2009

There's some great stuff you can get from the health food store called "Bach Rescue Remedy". That'll help ease your troubled thoughts and rebalance your spirit with just a few drops! Their material says: Rescue Remedy is totally natural and contains five of the 38 Bach ® Flower Essences: Rock Rose for terror and panic, Impatiens for irritation and impatience, Clematis for inattentiveness, Star of Bethlehem for shock and Cherry Plum for irrational thoughts.

Megan - posted on 08/17/2009

i would definitely talk to you doctor. I've gone through actual anxiety attacks where it really feels like you're having a heart attack, you don't want to get to that point because it's all tranquilizers from there! just kidding, but really, you want to be able to function without worrying about everything.

I still read stories about babies like that and I still tear up for those poor children who had no one to love them, and my daughter is two, that empathy just comes with being a mother. Before I had my little girl nothing ever made me cry, now just a happy commercial makes me start bawling!

If it's really getting bad go see a doctor, there's no reason you should have to suffer, the more you suffer/worry the more your family will see that and it will never turn out good

Denise - posted on 08/17/2009

I think of these horrible things too. Like Chellsi I cant help thinking im going to fall down the steps while holding my 10 month old daughter. It doesnt help that I am also 5 1/2 months pregnant again and off balance and worried about the little girl inside of me. I also imagine so many other horrible things. I just take a deep breath, shake my head and go play with my daughter.

Candice - posted on 08/17/2009

in the extreme, this can be a symptom of postpartum anxiety. if you feel it is affecting your behaviour toward your child, please talk to your doctor and/or a counsellor.



i was at higher risk for postpartum depression and was surprised to find i ended up with anxiety instead. my daughter had feeding issues (caused by reflux) and i was terrified to feed her. i was also anxious about her sleep issues...couldn't sleep for fear she'd wake up (she always woke up before i fell asleep). i got help and was back on track in a few weeks.



fear of your baby being harmed is a common symptom. it is somewhat normal in the general population, but when you start acting differently because of it (losing sleep over it, or being overprotective of your child) these are things that can affect how you care for your child. i've heard of mom's who refused to leave the house, refused to let anyone else hold their child or care for them even for short periods, and other things like that which aren't healthy for your child. see a doctor if you think it might affect your parenting.

Meghan - posted on 08/17/2009

Thank you so much for replying Chellsi, it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way and thinks and imagines the worst. I too have to force myself not to think like that but lately it's been too much. I probably should talk to someone because it is affecting my sleep. Here I am wide awake when my son is sleeping and I should be too.

Melanie - posted on 08/17/2009

I would talk to someone - like your doctor. It is normal to feel anxious, but when it is affecting your sleeping it is beyond normal. I remember feeling upset about anything that affected a young child - but I have very few memories of my daughters first year. I didn't think anything was wrong at the time, but apparently my husband and mother were extremely worried about me.

Chellsi - posted on 08/17/2009

Hi Meghan... I am the same as you. My son is 8 months old and I routinely think horrible things and can't stop them. When he was a newborn the thoughts were mostly about things like "what if I fall down the stairs while I am holding him" or 'what if he slips out of my grasp in the lake when we are swimming'? These thoughts would enter my mind and I would physically have to close my eyes and cover my ears in order to force myself not to think about them.



My son had a higher chance of getting SIDS because he has a boarderline heart deficiency...this caused me much anxiety and still does....he is 8 months old. I wake up every night searching for him under the covers and sometimes even wake up my husband asking "where is the baby" I know he is in his crib but I somehow convince myself he is suffocating under the covers in my sleep...I wake up paniking--sweating and breathing heavy.



I feel like I need some help with this... I have never had any anxiety my whole life untill now--

Basicially I am in the same boat as you are Meghan, if you have any ideas for me that would be great too :) I feel your pain, sometimes I feel so over-protective, and I think it drives my family nuts!!



Good luck!

Neetu - posted on 08/17/2009

anxiety is common especiially during first child dont panic ,v all go thru the same rut,i suggest u try some yoga.

Christina - posted on 08/17/2009

we all worry about our kids constantly and we will continue to do so as long as we live.

have you started your period again recently? or birth control? anything that may trigger your hormones to go all out of whack and make you extra sensitive?

Christy - posted on 08/17/2009

I was that way too and the nurse said it was a result of baby blues. I was told if it gets any worse I need to talk to my doctor. Since you are loosing sleep, I would talk to your doctor about it. She/He might be able to help. I was obsessed with the whole SIDS thing with my first child. It drove me crazy.