Women experience different hormonal and body changes when pregnant, from nausea and vomiting to...
Women experience different hormonal and body changes when pregnant, from nausea and vomiting to dizziness, diarrhea, anxiety, etc.
While most others are paid special attention, anxiety is often trivialized as though unimportant.
The pregnant mother lives in a very delicate state, with the presence of a whole human being growing inside her, making all spheres of her health very important.
This being said, how then can women manage anxiety attacks while pregnant?
The best way to handle anxiety attacks while pregnant is first to make sure it doesn't happen or at least its chances of occurring are reduced i.e., avoiding it.
This can be achieved by sticking to proper nutrition and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and smoking.
Anxiety attacks while pregnant can also be managed by talking to friends and family or trusted associates.
It helps calm the mind and, at times, gives reassurances.
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear, which can be persistent or irregular.
Everyone gets anxious once in a while, but we manage it better than ourselves.
Extreme cases of anxiety can also lead to panic attacks, which can be very scary.
Anxiety attacks while pregnant aren't strange, though.
They are more common in pregnancies than we know. It is almost synonymous.
Some women who have never experienced serious anxiety will most likely have anxiety attacks when they become pregnant.
At times, it is a result of the overwhelming remarks and feelings from people (not necessarily bad comments).
Some degree of fear or worry is natural when pregnant; let's face it, that's two human beings in 1 body.
Especially if it is the first time, past occurrences such as miscarriages, stillbirths, etc., may give reasons for concern too.
These worries, when allowed to blossom and flourish, can easily trigger anxiety attacks while pregnant.
The symptoms are no different from a regular anxiety attack at any other time, and they include:
Researchers believe that women who have a history of anxiety attacks tend to experience anxiety attacks while pregnant.
Interestingly, while women who have zero records of anxiety attacks in their lives may experience them when pregnant, some women with a history of anxiety attacks may find that it subsides when they are pregnant.
Subsequently, a series of anxiety attacks can lead to panic attacks. Usually, it will start very suddenly with most of the symptoms above and progress.
During a panic attack, the symptoms are often physical, making the feeling aggravated and somewhat extreme.
Identifying panic attacks:
Feeling out of breath or not being able to breathe well.
Feeling like one is going crazy.
Feeling extremely fearful in anticipation of something very terrible happening.
What are the Causes of Anxiety During Pregnancy?
Having anxiety attacks while pregnant can be a result of various things. Examples include;
What are the Risk Factors for Anxiety While Pregnant?
These are special need-to-know information that can pre-inform a pregnant person about the level of anxiety attack risk they might be in. Hence, special attention should be paid to them.
The majority of the drugs prescribed to control/manage anxiety belong to the same class as antidepressants, which can be risky for pregnant women to use.
A critical check should be conducted to ensure that the prescribed drugs will not have adverse effects on the mother or the baby.
On the safe side, there are anxiety treatment drugs considered relatively safe, but whoever will be using has to be in consult with their doctor to determine the right one to use to avoid bringing harm to themselves or the pregnancy.
Beyond using medication to treat anxiety attacks while pregnant, several other means can be employed. Usually, therapy sessions with an expert psychologist, will try and find out the reasons or triggers of the anxiety attacks and develop a plan to alleviate them. Furthermore, there is anxiety alleviating techniques that can be practiced and used to manage the attacks. They are listed below;
Anxiety is almost inevitable with pregnancy. It can start very mildly and escalate into panic attacks if not controlled on time.
Therefore, pregnant women are advised to learn about anxiety attacks before they start happening so as not to endanger their lives and their pregnancy.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
Ignoring anxiety can exacerbate symptoms and make it more challenging to manage over time. This can result in a negative impact on your personal, professional, and social life, leading to feelings of isolation and even depression.
Medication is often prescribed for anxiety due to the fact that it works quickly to ease symptoms of distress or panic attacks in some cases. However, this should always be discussed with your doctor so they can provide guidance on what's right for you and the type of medication best suited for your needs.
Other activities which have been found helpful in reducing both immediate feelings of anxiousness and long-term anxieties associated with chronic disorders include yoga, journaling, nature walks, art therapy, volunteering, and other low-stress activities. Additionally, developing a healthy lifestyle incorporating adequate sleep, physical activity, and nutritious meals can help reduce overall stress levels.
Yes, Medicaid provides insurance coverage for therapy services specifically designed to help individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Access to licensed therapists who specialize in these areas is available within the Medicaid network.
It's important that you feel comfortable discussing personal matters with your therapist in order to open up and get more out of therapy sessions; therefore finding someone who meets certain criteria like experience level, expertise areas, and personality is key when selecting a therapist who can give meaningful feedback about how best handle issues related to anxiety or other mental health concerns.
To reduce your anxiety, you can practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness practices. Additionally, regular exercise has been found to be beneficial in managing stress and improving mental health.
