How much anxiety do you have?

[hilwithonelary]

I'm not sure if my level of anxiety is just part of being a mom or if it's excessive. I'm pretty laid back about day to day stuff, but I worry on a daily basis about one of us dying. When DH flies, I worry his plane will crash. When we travel by car, I worry about getting in a car wreck. When I left the kids with my parents/ILs (each got one kid) last week, I was terrified that they would choke/fall/some other injury. Tonight as I was driving over a bridge, I wondered what I would do if we somehow got thrown off the bridge into the water. My anxiety isn't present all the time, but I do frequently have these types of worries run through my head. Does anyone else have similar feelings, or do I sound off the charts anxious?

[bunch]

I had similar feelings when dd was a newborn. I would envision myself dropping her or doing other horrible things. The thought consumed me, so my dr put me on meds for a few mos for pp OCD. I have some other compulsions as well, so it wasn't a stretch.

[Deleted]

I still have those thoughts. I will say they have definitely decreased from when they were younger. I do have bad anxiety though because I get an occassional panic attack.

[pugz]

I've struggled with an anxiety disorder for about 4 years now. I had lots of intrusive negative and "what if" thoughts. I'd be driving and then imagine my parents dying and start to feel what my therapist calls "precipitory grief". I did cognitive behavioral therapy and that was helpful in learning to redirect negative or scary thoughts. Lots of exercise to help me "live in the now" and now worry about the future.

However therapy alone was not enough for me, I did need medication as I have a chemical imbalance that causes my depression and anxiety. Since going on zoloft I no longer struggle with that level of anxiety. It doesn't interfere with my daily life anymore (most of the time!)

[DarcyLongfellow]

I had/have intrusive thoughts like that, and it was postpartum anxiety. Therapy and Zoloft helped a lot. I am still prone to them, but I'm better about dealing with them now.

It couldn't hurt to talk to your doctor.

[Deleted]

I only have anxiety when my thyroid meds are too low. It's my main symptom, weirdly. It's been so amazing to get treated and realize that it's NOT how I should normally feel.

[GailGoldie]

Mine was really bad a few years ago - caused me lots of stomach issues ... i went on Celexa to help out and it worked great for me, but i put on weight b/c of it so after a year I went off.

Now i'm doing better dealing with anxiety (a lot of it was b/c the kids were sick so much back when it was bad).... now they aren't as sick- and I've managed better.

I do say a prayer every morning asking to bring us all home safely that night... and to help ease my worries. I drive all day for work and do worry about accidents a LOT - but i know i ahve to keep going and so i pray when i feel worried- and then move on.

[jr009j]

I have very similar anxiety, but more so when I'm stressed. My worst daily anxiety is about driving DD and a constant fear that someone will hit us right where she is in the car. But when I had to travel for work alone, I was having full panic attacks on the plane in fear something would happen to me. I could recongize it as completely irrational, but couldn't stop the feelings. Weirdly, when we have flown as a family, I haven't had the same panic.

I have the same panic about bridges, but I've always had it.

Overall, my general level of anxiety has been reduced since having DD. I only really get the horrible anxiety when something stressful is happening.

[af1212]

This exact situation (same exact thoughts) developed for me after my first daughter was born (she's 3 now).

During my second pregnancy I finally went to see someone and am now on prozac (started 4 weeks ago) and going to therapy for it. I feel so much better already!

I definitely recommend reaching out and getting some support for yourself. It has made such a difference for me already, and my marriage too. I don't know why I waited so long!