Having a hard time deciding what to do..

Ok. Background info for those that don't know - I suffer from PTSD amongst other diagnoses' and have really bad anxiety.

I was recently pulled off all of my meds because I became pregnant.

Well, things aren't going well, and its getting to the point where when I do leave the house (which is rare - twice in the last month so far) I almost feel like passing out I am so anxious. I break into a sweat, my heart pounds, all I can do is hold myself and cry for the most part. And then theres the general feeling of unwellness Ive been feeling mentally.

Today was so bad I almost considered going to the hospital - But I stopped because I feel like if I seek that help while pregnant it will reflect badly on me as a future mother. I can just imagine social services using it against me as a way to take my child when it is born. Now, I may have BAD anxiety and such, but I am not a danger to myself, nor anyone else, and am not Sui***** or anything like that, just scared of everything.

Is it wrong of me to try to seek Psychological help while pregnant? Will it automatically condemn me to having my child taken away? Why does it feel like if I show even one tiny weakness mentally than I will be judged harshly for it?

Does any of this make any sense to anyone?

I'm not sure if I have any answers but it makes a lot of sense to me!

((((((((((((( Rainbowzz ))))))))))))))

Thank you fuzzyness, hugs help too!

I think getting the help you need now is the best thing you can do for you and for your baby. Your baby is going to need you to be there to take care of him/her when he/she is born and you'll need to be in a good headspace to do so. Asking for help now does not automatically mean social services is going to come sweeping down on you.

Take care of yourself.

--splitimage

There is nothing wrong with getting psychological help while pregnant. Your child will need you, and if you need the help, get it.

Sweetie, I can't imagine even the most hard-hearted social services person coming down on you for getting the help you need. I would think it would be a positive thing on your side!

There are some meds that are reasonably OK to take while pregnant, I think -- definitely do check with a pdoc. It's a crapshoot in the end, really. I did everything right, and my boy still was born with a (very, very, very minor) birth defect that had absolutely nothing to do with my diet or meds or anything.

(((Rainbow)))) To me, that you are already worrying about your child says you are already a great mom.

Getting psychological help while off your drugs only shows that you are a responsible parent-to-be. There are a lot of ways a T could help you get through this time.

It's not your fault or any of your own doing that you have these mental issues. I know of parents blatently on drugs and selling them and all the system does is tell them to clean up their act.

Get the help you need, Hon!

PS Oh, BTW... I had a bad case of anxiety when I was pregnant with my youngest. My adrenaline got into his system, too, and he was quite a handful when he was born. I know it was from my anxiety. He also had some unreal fears before he went to school. I KNOW it was because of how I was when I was expecting him. Get that help, ok?!

Oh sweetie... I do know what you mean...because when I was pregnant 23 years ago.. I had the same worries and concerns about getting help for my terrible anxiety.. and I know things have really changed in the 23 years,,, but I sought the help.. because I needed it.. and just continued onward thru birth and just on..

So it is a tough.. call.. but I stilll think seeking help is the way to go...

No it is't wrong, it's taking good care of you.

On another forum I go to, there is a therapist who had a baby last year who could not go off all of her meds. She worked closely with her doctor to find the best and lowest dosage of meds that would help her with minimal risk to her baby who is just fine.

Babies need healthy mommy's.

Taking good care of your baby's mommy is good!

Rainbowzz, seeking MH services while pregnant is proper, your off meds and need there support

i had a lot of problems while pregnant to include ptsd aniexty and severe depression. First of all don't give up.
My personal experience was most of the medical staff i dealt with were even more understanding knowing that while pregnant your hormones make even a sane woman crazy. I had to be hospitalized for cutting and there was never even a disscussion about me not being able to handle motherhood.
good for you if you can stay off the meds. After my cutting it was pretty much insisted that i take my meds. When my daughter was born she was extremely sensitive to sound and wouldn't allow anyone to hold her except for me and my husband. At the age of 2 she developed seizures. Every dr tells me it is not related to my meds but i don't believe them.
Linda

I'm a little late here but this is what I'd do:

I would seek psychological help, but I'd be sure to maintain my composure with the psych. worker until you've established good credibility. There is absolutely nothing wrong about getting medical or psych help. I think what social services would look for is instability. If you can work through your issues calmly and rationally, then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that it DOES have an impact upon your insurance and rates.

Good luck - I hope you get the help you deserve