Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously, you first need to rule out something medical going on. Just in case, I would ask your doctor to test your thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

In terms of medication, I've found that an SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Celexa, Zoloft) can help, but it's not a cure all. I take one pill daily and plan to do so forever - or until something better comes along. People like to refer to antidepressants as "happy pills". They are not. They help relieve depressive symptoms and enable you to cope better with day to day stresses. Personally, I would avoid the older benzodiazepam antidepressants (e.g., Xanax). They are highly addictive and can have nasty side effects (sleepiness, paradoxical anxiety and anger..).

You should also see a therapist - a psychologist, licensed clinical counselor, or family counselor. Psychologytoday.com has a comprehensive list of local providers with profiles of each. Be aware that many - but not all - do not accept insurance. Unlike you have a serious mental health issue (e.g., bipolar) you don't need to see a psychiatrist; they are not therapists. Their expertise is in medication.

Hope this helps.

.

Thanks so much for this. It gives me a path to discuss with my doctor. I had a baby near a year ago and these feelings have robbed me of the pure delight and joy I felt when I had my first born. Which brings guilty feelings in return... I had asked my pcp for some anxiety meds before, back in Feb., but someone talked me out of it saying it was an American thing to turn to medicine for everything.... I should have taken it and now maybe it wouldn't be so worse.

It sounds like you may have post partinaire depression as well. There is a great support group in Alexandria...Google it. You will find there are other moms feeling just like you. Depression/anxiety are real. Please don't listen to people who rag on medication...talk to your dr. And if she isn't receptive go to another dr!! It is worth trying meds. Can be life changing. And Cog Behavioral therapy is also really helpful. Don't give up. So many suffer in silence and don't know there are others feeling the same way!

Op here btw.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously, you first need to rule out something medical going on. Just in case, I would ask your doctor to test your thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

In terms of medication, I've found that an SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Celexa, Zoloft) can help, but it's not a cure all. I take one pill daily and plan to do so forever - or until something better comes along. People like to refer to antidepressants as "happy pills". They are not. They help relieve depressive symptoms and enable you to cope better with day to day stresses. Personally, I would avoid the older benzodiazepam antidepressants (e.g., Xanax). They are highly addictive and can have nasty side effects (sleepiness, paradoxical anxiety and anger..).

You should also see a therapist - a psychologist, licensed clinical counselor, or family counselor. Psychologytoday.com has a comprehensive list of local providers with profiles of each. Be aware that many - but not all - do not accept insurance. Unlike you have a serious mental health issue (e.g., bipolar) you don't need to see a psychiatrist; they are not therapists. Their expertise is in medication.

Hope this helps.

.

Thanks so much for this. It gives me a path to discuss with my doctor. I had a baby near a year ago and these feelings have robbed me of the pure delight and joy I felt when I had my first born. Which brings guilty feelings in return... I had asked my pcp for some anxiety meds before, back in Feb., but someone talked me out of it saying it was an American thing to turn to medicine for everything.... I should have taken it and now maybe it wouldn't be so worse.

Op here btw.

Anonymous wrote:Obviously, you first need to rule out something medical going on. Just in case, I would ask your doctor to test your thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

In terms of medication, I've found that an SSRI antidepressant (e.g., Celexa, Zoloft) can help, but it's not a cure all. I take one pill daily and plan to do so forever - or until something better comes along. People like to refer to antidepressants as "happy pills". They are not. They help relieve depressive symptoms and enable you to cope better with day to day stresses. Personally, I would avoid the older benzodiazepam antidepressants (e.g., Xanax). They are highly addictive and can have nasty side effects (sleepiness, paradoxical anxiety and anger..).

You should also see a therapist - a psychologist, licensed clinical counselor, or family counselor. Psychologytoday.com has a comprehensive list of local providers with profiles of each. Be aware that many - but not all - do not accept insurance. Unlike you have a serious mental health issue (e.g., bipolar) you don't need to see a psychiatrist; they are not therapists. Their expertise is in medication.

Hope this helps.

Anonymous wrote:Medication helped me far more than therapy has for my general anxiety and depression. I disagree with the PP above about a psychiatrist only being necessary if you have a "serious" mental health issue. I've found the guidance that my psychiatrist has given me in finding the right antidepressant to be invaluable. Therapy has been helpful in developing coping skills, but I wasn't able to get the most out of therapy until I was helped by medication.

The first time I went on medication the combo that worked for me was Zoloft, klonipin and trazodone. Trazodone is an old school antidepressant that in low doses is an awesome sleep aid. Sleeplessness and panic attacks while asleep was a big problem for me and 1/2 a klonipin and a trazodone before bed made all the difference. Just being able to get some sleep in those couple of weeks while we waited for the Zoloft to kick in was so helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did cognitive behavioral therapy- I spent a whole month not sleeping at night worried about stuff and I was a wreck. I did not need meds personally for my situation. The therapy worked.

I was always worried about SOMETHING. It was worse at night. And when I got rid of one worry, something else took its place.

The therapy helped me cope much better. In addition to the therapy, my husband and I have had kind of a rough time the past few years - we've gotten through some pretty bad things that I wouldn't have imagined, and seeing how I can be fine after the worst happening, has kind of steeled my resolve in the face of other worries.

Op here. That is EXACTLY what I have been going through. It is crippling and I hate bent like this. Do you live in NoVA by any chance? Who did you use for your therapy? How much did it cost?

Anonymous wrote:I did cognitive behavioral therapy- I spent a whole month not sleeping at night worried about stuff and I was a wreck. I did not need meds personally for my situation. The therapy worked.

I was always worried about SOMETHING. It was worse at night. And when I got rid of one worry, something else took its place.

The therapy helped me cope much better. In addition to the therapy, my husband and I have had kind of a rough time the past few years - we've gotten through some pretty bad things that I wouldn't have imagined, and seeing how I can be fine after the worst happening, has kind of steeled my resolve in the face of other worries.

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak personally, but medication really helped my anxiety and improved my quality of life. Good luck!