When thinking about management of anxiety, it is important to consider both the risks of treatment as well as the harms of untreated anxiety. What are the effects of untreated anxiety on the fetus? Although underdiagnosed, anxiety disorders during pregnancy and in the postpartum period are common, and may affect up to one in five women. Unfortunately, two of the most common mental health screening tools in pregnancy (the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale) are not great at detecting anxiety in pregnancy. Some women also experience symptoms as a result of other anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The most common symptoms of anxiety include constant worrying, restlessness, muscle tension, irritability, feeling dread, an inability to concentrate, and difficulties falling asleep due to worries. The rates of generalized anxiety disorder appear to be highest in the first trimester, likely due to hormonal changes.
When anxiety starts to interfere with your day-to-day functioning, relationships, or job performance, it may be classified as an anxiety disorder - if your doctor picks up on it.Īnxiety can occur at any time during pregnancy, or it may first appear after delivery (perinatal anxiety is the term used for anxiety during pregnancy and after delivery). If this is the first time you experience a high level of anxiety, this may be frightening in itself. Worries may also appear as physical symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or panic attacks. Thoughts about the health of the baby may become obsessive, even when doctors are reassuring. For humans, a certain amount of anxiety is protective how else could we motivate ourselves to complete our work or run away from a bear? What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders during pregnancy?Īlthough it's normal to be worried about the health of your baby, in some cases this worry becomes debilitating and may require further attention. All of these worries are completely normal. You may worry about how a baby will affect your relationships with friends or family members, the health of your future child, the delivery experience, or the financial burden of an additional family member. Hormonal changes of pregnancy, prior heartbreaking miscarriages, and sleep difficulties may all contribute to anxiety for mothers-to-be. But how do you manage your anxiety, and should you treat it? What causes anxiety during pregnancy? You may notice that with every passing month, your thoughts are spiraling out of control, affecting your performance at work and your relationships at home. For other women, pregnancy is hard, giving no reprieve as it brings severe fatigue, mood changes, and constant worries. Some women feel joy at every flutter or kick, marveling at their changing bodies. You may expect to experience the rollercoaster of emotions during pregnancy, or emotions may catch you off guard. You will soon become a parent to an adorable, tiny human.
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