TTC and severe anxiety

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have severe anxiety or OCD and TTC? I have both and have tried therapy in the past but it has never been helpful. My anxiety is not generalized anxiety--it centers on health anxiety and worry about medical appointments/testing. I also have severe anxiety about pregnancy due to a health problem I have that is going to make pregnancy high risk. I have a problem with OCD handwashing too. Anyhow, my worry is that my anxiety and OCD will negatively influence the development of the baby/cause stress hormones during pregnancy. I am not sure what to do.

[Anonymous]

Have you sought out a specialist in OCD? Most therapists do not treat this regularly, so you might do better if you seek out an anxiety disorders clinic or specialist. Sometimes people with OCD benefit from antidepressants. You'd want to speak to your OB about which ones are safest while prenant, but it may be worth it. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I have severe, debilitating anxiety. Therapy doesn't work for me either. I went off of Paxil when TTC - I ended up miscarrying and the stress of that in conjunction with not being on meds sent me into anxiety so bad I couldn't function (not eating/sleeping etc). I went on Celexa on the advice of my psychiatrist, who used to be an OB, and went on to have a healthy pregnancy/baby. I'm still on it (was through BF) and am TTC#2 - wouldn't consider going off it. The risks to the baby are miniscule and the risks of severe anxiety to a fetus are MUCH higher. Good luck and you aren't alone!

[Anonymous]

I am wondering if a second child might add to the anxiety in ways that would be devastating for you and your family. Each child adds stress (and joy too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering if a second child might add to the anxiety in ways that would be devastating for you and your family. Each child adds stress (and joy too).

She doesn't have any ..

[Anonymous]

I say this as someone with GAD and Panic Disorder:

1. Get a CBT therapist.

2. Start magnesium supplements.

3. Eliminate ALL caffeine of EVERY type from your diet. No soda, no coffee, no chocolate.

4. Get a LOT of exercise - at least 1 hour a day.

5. No artificial preservatives, dyes, or food additives (no MSG, no red #4, etc). The wholer the foods the better.

I hope this doesn't sound glib -- these changes were life-altering for me. I went from panic attacks and persistent debilitating insomnia/anxiety to feeling normal for the first time in my adult life. I was also able to conceive after making these changes. The CBT is invaluable since you may have anxiety issues due to PPT hormones and I didn't want to take any medications since I EBF and coslept. Now at 2 years out, I still feel amazing from making these changes (even though having a toddler is mega stressful).

I haven't even checked WebMD in like a year. Life changing, seriously.

[Anonymous]

I also have GAD, although not as severe as some others here. I was never good at therapy, but did choose to go off of Paxil when TTC. I saw a psychiatrist who specialized in anxiety and pregnancy and she prescribed a medication that I could take as needed during the pregnancy, instead of a daily medication. I ended up not ever taking it, and did have a few panic attacks during the pregnancy. I thought the anxiety would have more of a negative effect on the pregnancy though. I did worry a lot about the health of the baby and called my OB several times for various anxieties. I did not continue to see the psychiatrist bc she wasn't in my network and it turned out I was able to manage, but if the anxiety had been worse would have seen her. I guess this isnt so much helpful advice since I wasn't quite in the same situation as you, but good luck...

[Anonymous]

Question for PP......would you mind giving the name of the medication that can be taken during pregnancy? Also, the drs. Name?

[Anonymous]

not PP but Celexa and Zoloft can both be taken for anxiety during pregnancy. They are SSRI's that are taken daily and have a long-term effect, rather than a quick-fix-immediate-calm-down. Medicines used for the latter, like Xanax and Clonozepam, aren't safe during pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Benzodiazepines are not safe during the first trimester and in the last weeks of pregnancy. They can be prescribed during the rest of pregnancy, though most doctors will avoid it altogether. I believe all benzos are category D.

[Anonymous]

What therapy have you tried? I have ocd and therapy also failed for me until I went to a therapist who did only cognitive therapy with me, not the cognitive-behavioral therapy that most cbt therapists do. Most cbt therapists focus on exposure and response prevention, which i kept dropping out of.

[Anonymous]

May sound crazy, but I took small doses of benedryl for anxiety during my pregnancy. I have GAD and was an extra nervous wreck due to prior miscarriages. Everything went great though and LO is a calm and happy kid.