Table of contents:
- Explanation ofpostnatal anxiety
- Various symptoms postnatal anxiety
- If this happens, how to solve it?
The euphoria of being a mother is of course often felt by women who have just given birth. Enthusiasm to take care of your little one makes you often wonder which leads to what is called postnatal anxiety.
Explanation ofpostnatal anxiety
On postnatal generalized anxiety disorder, a mother has a constant high level of anxiety about everything that concerns her little one, from the baby's health to her feeding to her own parenting abilities.
While postnatal obsessive compulsive disorder is a condition in which a mother often thinks about the possible harm that will befall her baby.
Another with postnatal health anxiety which means a mother tends to think about even doubt the health of her own baby.
Often times, this is triggered by the fear of not being able to take care of your little one properly.
What's more, the process of pregnancy to childbirth which of course also causes major changes in a woman's body in terms of physicality as well as hormonal fluctuations that can have an impact on mood.
Taking care of children inevitably will keep you awake in the middle of the night more often. Unpredictable hours of sleep have an effect on stress levels. In the end, all of these factors trigger more anxiety than usual.
Coupled with the views of those around them who think that the period after giving birth should be a happy moment, it is not uncommon for mothers to feel depressed and feel guilty if they can't get through it well.
Various symptoms postnatal anxiety
Although almost all parents often feel anxious and worry about whether they are good enough at caring for their little one, be careful if you have shown some of the following symptoms:
- Worry that arises continuously and doesn't go away with time
- Anxious feelings that the things you fear will happen
- Unusual changes in sleep time and appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
You may also experience physical symptoms including:
- Fatigue
- Heart beating fast
- Out of breath
- A cold sweat
- Nausea
- Dizzy
- The body shakes
In some cases, the mother may experience panic attacks and fear the baby's death.
If this happens, how to solve it?
Unlike baby blues which tends to occur in a short period of time, postnatal anxiety it could happen to you for months.
When not treated immediately, this can have an impact on other mental problems such as anxiety or disorders obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
If the anxiety that appears has started to interfere with sleeping hours and occupies your mind, immediately consult your concern with your doctor. Also make sure you do a checkup after delivery in about the first six weeks.
On this occasion, say anything that makes you uneasy. Schedule a follow-up appointment if you start to have more severe symptoms.
The doctor will then give a referral to a psychiatrist or mental health specialist so that they can get the right treatment.
Usually, you will go through special therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy which will help change your mindset on the problem at hand. If necessary, you may also be given medication.
Certain activities can also help reduce the anxiety you feel. Exercising relaxation techniques such as meditation or exercising will distract you and make you feel stronger.
It has been proven in a study conducted by the University of Georgia that aerobic exercise can reduce the intensity of anxiety disorders by 40% to 60 percent.
Apart from that, apply mindfulness it will also help you manage the stress that anxiety results from.
Mindfulness is an action where you focus on something that is being done without thinking about the future results.
Do this slowly along with meditation, hopefully you will feel calmer and don't think too much about the bad things that will happen.
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