What can I do to stop anxiety while I'm pregnant?

Question

I take prescription meds, and I have to stop now. What can I do to prevent anxiety?

Answer 1

Talk to your doctor. Sometimes they have alternitive pills to the ones that you take now that are safe to take during pregnancy. If not, then look to other things that can help de-stress you like massage or something. Good luck with everything and congrats on being pregnant!!!

Answer 2

Social anxiety can cause these feelings, which can also lead to severe depression,
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...

if not you could be suffering from Generalized Anxiety
Disorder..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/general_anx...

There is hope; I've been there, and still am there, it is a long, hard struggle. I recommend
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me, with mild anti-anxiety meds. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!

Answer 3

Yoga helped my ex-wife. There groups that do pilates or yoga specifically for pregnant women. Videos are available if you can't find a group. Picking a time of quiet meditation would be good. Talk to a friend or join a support group. Keep in mind it doesn't solve every anxiety but learning to talk yourself down from an attack is very important. Hope that helps and may you be blessed.

Answer 4

I dealt with anxiety while pregnant and it makes me sad that I spent so much time feeling anxious that I didn't really get to enjoy and embrace being pregnant. Try to relax and enjoy this. As for wanting your boyfriend to stay home from work and sit with you, I think it's a really bad idea. Someone has to work to support your baby. He's being responsible. Let him go to work. There's nothing you really can do for your anxiety until your baby is born. I dealt with it, and I know you can too. Do it for yourself and your baby. Congratulations and remember to embrace this time it really is amazing even if it is a emotional roller-coaster and at times extremely uncomfortable.

Answer 5

Whenever you start to feel stressed just take a step back. Breathe deeply, in through the nose out through the mouth and count to ten slowly. If it helps, you can adopt some sort of mantra to help you destress ("ohm" is a popular one, but you can do something else-anything that you think will work).
You know how people say "All good things must come to an end"? My saying is "All bad things must come to an end." If I'm having a bad or stressful day I just tell myself this to remind myself that my bad, stressfilled day is not going to last forever. It really helps me to destress knowing that all the things that are stressing me out are going to be over soon enough.

Answer 6

I am in the same boat. I had to stop medication for my depression and anxiety when I found out I was pregnant...I am now in my 8th month and counting the days until I can go back on my medicine. It is very hard without it.

If it gets too difficult then speak with your doctor about it. He/she may be able to prescribe medicine that is safe for use during pregnancy. Sometimes the possible risks associated with taking medication are worth it compared to the possible risks of NOT being on your medicine. Talk to your doctor about your options...and keep him/her up to date on how your feeling. If you find your self getting low or extremely anxious then talk to them ASAP.

Answer 7

There are some that are safe to take while pregnant. Talk to your doctor about them. They help tons. Good luck

Answer 8

Ask a pro, seriously.