Anxiety at night

[Anonymous]

I’m six months postpartum. Lately I’ve had worsening anxiety at night - specifically worried about the safety of my kids (random things like swimming or safety walking on the sidewalk with their caregiver when I’m not there). I had PPD with my first and treated it then, but this does not feel like that. I also generally have low grade anxiety and the world has been chaotic as of late which adds to this feeling. I have a doctor I can talk to, I’m more just curious how common it is to have this kid focused anxiety before bed. Is this just motherhood?

[Anonymous]

Idk how common it is, but I definitely have this. I do take Zoloft but I don’t think it works that well. I’m still breastfeeding so I think it’s still the only SSRI they recommend (could be totally wrong about that).

Anyway, it’s rough. What helps me is watching something funny right before getting in bed. Like even something five minutes like an SNL skit or a few funny Instagram reels.

[Anonymous]

PO here: hit submit too early. But wanted to say hang in there. Talk to your doctor and see if there are meds you can go on and also a therapist you can talk to which never hurts. You’re not alone though.

[Anonymous]

Anxiety doesn't always manifest in the same way. I think you should speak to your doctor.

[Anonymous]

It's quite likely you have post partum anxiety rather than post partum depression. There's obviously a lot of overlap between the two. I had a mix of both with my first child and specifically remember getting this feeling of dread as bedtime approached and stomach aches that would get worse as the day progressed.

FWIW I spent most of the last year dealing with my mom's treatment resistant depression and anxiety and did endless research and consultation with physicians and psychiatrists. There are 4 main approaches for treatment:
1. Medication
2. Therapy
3. Treating insomnia/sleep problems
4. Exercise
You could have success with one, some or all of these. If you don't particularly like the medication approach you can focus on the other three. Obviously with an infant, sleep is likely an issue you have little control over, but if your LO is a terrible sleeper getting him/her on a better sleep schedule is an excellent place to start. But anyway - you have many options for addressing your PPA, but please seek out help. Best wishes!!

[Anonymous]

This exact thing happens to me also, including the safety of the kids crossing streets part. I used to find it upsetting but now I know it’s just a nighttime thing and it fades in the light of day. I tell myself these are just crazy nighttime thoughts, you have to let them go, and then I focus on something else while I fall asleep.

[Anonymous]

Sundown scaries. More prevalent in early PP but man I wish someone had told me about this earlier.
Increases in severity in length with the following: nursing/weaning, sleep deprivation, returning to work, stress, etc.
I had an iron infusion after a pretty severe hemorrhage and had the worst sundown scaries 1-2 weeks into PP. Had PPA/rage with my first but this was very different. Apparently, iron infusions can also cause anxiety. So I learned all about this because it was severe for a while there. Add blood loss to PP and things get primal real quick.

[Anonymous]

This happens to me all the time. My kids are 2 and 4, and I'm 20 weeks with our third. I did have PPD/PPA both times postpartum and I'm currently on a low dose of Zoloft. Therapy and the SSRI have both helped me, but I still do get intrusive thoughts on bad days. I would talk to your doctor about it.

[Anonymous]

Check your blood sugar. If the anxiety is happening around 3 am at night...it is low blood sugar.

You have to change your dinner habits. Cut out sugars, carbs. Concentrate on foods with low glycymic index - protein, veggies, nuts and seeds, and eat grains like quinoa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check your blood sugar. If the anxiety is happening around 3 am at night...it is low blood sugar.

Your circadian rhythm also triggers a natural cortisol release at about 4 am to start waking you up, so it isn’t necessarily low blood sugar. Generally the cure for that is finding ways to relieve your stress throughout the day.

OP, please talk to your doctor. This sounds like pretty classic PPA to me and there’s all sorts of help out there. Postpartum is hard enough without the added weight of anxiety!

[Anonymous]

I have GAD and I don't do this

[Anonymous]

OP, yours is more serious than what I am recommending, but still recommending. DH and I had an understanding that nothing important was to be discussed after 8pm. Schedule talk included - we worked to do that before. No, as you're going to bed, "So, what do you have going on tomorrow?" Not that. No worries expressed, no ruminating. The couple hours before sleep was to just zone-out. DH needed to rewatch for the 100th time something light and mild.

[Anonymous]

A light blocking sleep mask. There's something very powerful re: total sensory deprivation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, yours is more serious than what I am recommending, but still recommending. DH and I had an understanding that nothing important was to be discussed after 8pm. Schedule talk included - we worked to do that before. No, as you're going to bed, "So, what do you have going on tomorrow?" Not that. No worries expressed, no ruminating. The couple hours before sleep was to just zone-out. DH needed to rewatch for the 100th time something light and mild.

I had to be really nasty enforcing this boundary with my husband. :/