Panic Attacks during Pregnancy

Self help resource for sufferers of Panic, Anxiety and Depression.

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Within these pages you will find articles, reviews & resources concentrating on self help for Sufferers of Anxiety, OCD, Depression & Panic Attack Disorders

Pregnancy presents a significant series of changes to a woman's body. The level of Hormones are increased which can cause massive swings in both mood and behaviour. With the constant state of flux between progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy (in particular if it is their first baby) can leave women battling to keep their emotions under control. This change to the body and the delicate balance of hormones leaves a perfect opportunity for panic and anxiety disorders to creep in and take over.

In addition to the physical changes taking place within the body, in turn psychological factors also need to be taken into consideration, which can cause panic and anxiety during pregnancy. Expectant mothers will often sit an worry about their baby's health, their own aspirations as a mother, money worries and the changes to their family and social life once the new addition arrives. Combined with the already massive changes the body is undergoing, it's not surprise then that the worry and stress can take over and become overwhelming.

The treatment however of these attacks during pregnancy is not east. Not surprisingly the mothers will be concerned (as they should be) about any adverse effects that medical treatment for their symptoms may have on their foetus, both in the short and also the long term. The majority of doctors would agree that the prescription of psychotropic medications should be avoided during pregnancy. There are a selection of non medicinal, self help programmes and techniques however that can be used to help pregnant women handle and in many cases relieve the effects of panic and anxiety.

Natural approaches to combat these symptoms are safe for both the mother to be and also their unborn baby and can, in the most part, effectively reduce both the frequency and severity of attacks. The following are a handful of alternatives to medicine which have worked and been successful for a number of women.

Meditation

During pregnancy, women will experience massive changes which can become amplified further into the pregnancy. Physical and psychological changes such as these can cause a great deal of stress. Looking ahead to the future and worrying is a normal and expected reaction, however this worry can increase stress levels and in turn can result in a panic or anxiety attack. Meditation is a practice used by many to achieve relaxation. It combines measured and focussed breathing techniques with a strong emphasis on concentrating on the 'now' rather than any other events or times which may clutter the mind. This concentrating on the 'now' approach is a very effective mindset - particularly when dealing with a panic or anxiety attack and also to help prevent them from occurring.

Exposure

Some attacks are brought on by a fear that may be linked to a specific past event or a certain place or situation. Often trying to avoid thinking about these obvious issues (or triggers) can in fact make the rising sense of panic a lot worse. Exposure Therapy is designed to encourage sufferers, in small manageable chunks, to gradually confront their fears and causes of anxiety. In time learning to cope with those events or times that trigger their symptoms of panic and anxiety.

Self Talk

Often anxiety and panic attacks will trigger fear in the sufferer with no basis of rationale. 'I’m going to die', 'I'm going crazy', 'I'm losing control' are feelings often reported and mirrored amongst sufferers. The fact is that none of these fears are based on fact, and the longer sufferers let these feelings keep them down and imprison them in their anxious world, then the stronger they then become. Self-Talk is a method whereby sufferers re-assure themselves that everything will be fine, and that there is no danger in their experiences of panic. Combined with relaxed breathing techniques, this method can greatly reduce the severity of their attacks.

Something most of us do not appreciate is that it is very common for women to experience panic and/or anxiety attacks whilst pregnant.

Study suggests that almost 30 percent of all women will experience some kind of panic or anxiety related illness in the courses of their lives, and when they are pregnant, women can be even more susceptible to these disorders. As always, the reasons for this are not simple.

The majority of panic or anxiety attacks will appear without any warning, and often are not linked to any particular situation or person. This can make it almost incredibly difficult to ascertain the exact triggers for these attacks. On the whole however, medical experts agree that there are both psychological and also physical factors to be considered during pregnancy that more than likely have an important part to play in the manifestation of these attacks.

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Panic Attacks during Pregnancy

Panic and anxiety during pregnancy is very common (albeit frightening for the sufferer at the time). If you feel overwhelmed by an irrational dread, fear or panic, shortness of breath, trembling and sweats, you could be one of the many women who are finding their bodies reacting to the many changes taking place in your body. Please remember you are not on your own and there is help out there for you.

Take a visit to your local Doctor and the two of you can sit and discuss the best techniques or course of action suited to your individual situation.