Postnatal anxiety

[Dory85]

I have a previous history of depression and anxiety but it has been pretty settled since a year before I had my eldest daughter. Since giving birth to my youngest almost 6 weeks ago I feel on edge a lot but bizarrely this seems to be exacerbated by untidyness which is a nightmare when you have 3 children under 4.

Has anyone else got experience with this? I'm aware that my 8 week check is coming up and will bring it up if it's a sign of something that needs to be watched but it seems very bizarre that the condition of my home can affect it so much. I feel a bit bonkers!

 

[gingajewel]

I posted a thread in the girly sanctuary exactly the same hun, but mine is bought on by newborns and nights!

 

[MindUtopia]

I definitely had some postnatal anxiety. It wasn't related to messiness of the house, more intrusive thoughts of death and anxiety about something bad happening, but I do have OCD and the general tidiness of my house is a source of anxiety all the time, not necessarily related to anything postnatal. It's a bit late in the game for this now, but what really helped me was doing placenta encapsulation. The change from before and after was pretty dramatic. Not very helpful now unless it's something you've already done, but perhaps for next time if you decide to have more?

Beyond that, yes, I would speak to your GP when you see them about it and see what support they can offer. But though it's not the cause, it might help to alleviate the symptoms until you get a bit beyond this really emotional part of postnatal recovery, but could you get some help with the house? Could your partner or a friend or family member manage a day off to help do a deep clean and get things sorted, or give you a break from the little ones so that you could sort things out? I feel much better after I clean and put things back together, even when it doesn't stay like that very long. Could you have a family member promise to come do that once a week, or could you afford to hire a cleaning person to come weekly for the next few weeks or month or so? Beyond that, make things simple, eat off disposable plates and use disposable utensils (not great for the environment, but if it saves you for a few weeks of washing up, great), or do something else to minimise the mess of meals and clean up. I know it's not sorting out the underlying issue, but if it makes it a bit more manageable until things get easier, then that's a good thing.

 

[Bellaloo12]

I have this when my anxiety is really bad i also suffer with ocd (not a cleaning obssession) and if my anxiety is high and my house is messy it does make my anxiety worse. I think like you say its best to mention it to your doctor hun as they can point you in the rigt direction. I feel like my head isnt clear if there is mess everywhere. hope your ok. x

 

[misspriss]

I have it, I have always suffered from anxiety. I had (most likely self diagnosed) PTSD after my first birth experience and borderline PND with my first, as well as untreated anxiety. I actually had antenatal anxiety as we got close to the birth, probably due to the PTSD. I started medication at 35 weeks and was on it until a couple weeks ago, shortly after my daughters first birthday it has kind of miraculously gotten better, which is how I decided it was postnatal anxiety not regular. I have a check with my doctor tomorrow and I will further discuss it with him.

I suggest that you see a doctor, it helped me a lot.

 

[laura109]

I remember just with one feelins overwhelmed by everything. Even now i think my house is too full and theres toys everywhere and i feel like im the only one who cant keep up. Im clean and the house gets tidied but i always feel if anyone comes round ive got so much to do. I think its often in my head but its alot to deal with too having little people relying on you 24/7. As long as your pots are washed and fhe hoover is wacked round try and focus on your babies and go for walks etc. i find i always feel happier when im out the house on a sunny morning walking. It breaks the day down and sometimes i do that before i even think about the house. You are doing a great job, sometimes the days are long and you feel you will never catch up but you always do x