Newdad2014
08-04-14, 17:26
Hi all, first post, please be gentle :hugs:
My Wife gave birth to our gorgeous son two weeks ago and for the first few days everything seemed normal (well as normal as it could be).
Then, I (the Dad) starting becoming incredibly anxious about being a Dad. In the past 10 days I have suffered from:-
Anxiety around our baby and taking him anywhere
Anxiety going out by myself (to supermarket for instance)
Not wanting visitors
Mixed emotions
Low moods
Lack of appetite
Sick feeling in stomach
Yearning for my old life
Crying uncontrollably
Lack of sleep
It all came to a head yesterday when I had to go and see my GP as I couldn't contemplate retuning to work with these feelings. He suggested counselling over medication which suited me as I have had bad instances in the past with medication (he was suggesting diazepam, that ruined me before). I have had one bout of long term anxiety in the past involving working but eventually came through that episode. Unfortunately, the well being service through the NHS has a 2/3 week waiting time although I should be contacted sooner than that as I have now asked my GP to refer me. I have contacted numerous organisations today all who have pointed me in various directions but still don't feel any better (although I feel calmer just now).
I am wondering if this major change in my life has tapped into that previous episode of anxiety and started it up again. I am normally level headed, love my job, easy going kind of person but feel like a nervous wreck. Taking my mind off the situation does help and my Wife is out with the baby at the moment but I know it will flair up again. I do love my son, he is perfect and I know eventually we will have a great relationship but it seems so hard at the moment. My Wife is doing brilliantly with baby but I just feel so guilty that she now has me to contend with also.
Do any Dads on here have experience of this post natal anxiety in men? I know it is more common than many people think just by googling. I keep being told things will improve with baby and I'm sure it will when he sleeps longer at night but that time still seems so far away. I just want to be a good Dad but am wondering if I will ever be able to cope...
Any thoughts much appreciated.
My Wife gave birth to our gorgeous son two weeks ago and for the first few days everything seemed normal (well as normal as it could be).
Then, I (the Dad) starting becoming incredibly anxious about being a Dad. In the past 10 days I have suffered from:-
Anxiety around our baby and taking him anywhere
Anxiety going out by myself (to supermarket for instance)
Not wanting visitors
Mixed emotions
Low moods
Lack of appetite
Sick feeling in stomach
Yearning for my old life
Crying uncontrollably
Lack of sleep
It all came to a head yesterday when I had to go and see my GP as I couldn't contemplate retuning to work with these feelings. He suggested counselling over medication which suited me as I have had bad instances in the past with medication (he was suggesting diazepam, that ruined me before). I have had one bout of long term anxiety in the past involving working but eventually came through that episode. Unfortunately, the well being service through the NHS has a 2/3 week waiting time although I should be contacted sooner than that as I have now asked my GP to refer me. I have contacted numerous organisations today all who have pointed me in various directions but still don't feel any better (although I feel calmer just now).
I am wondering if this major change in my life has tapped into that previous episode of anxiety and started it up again. I am normally level headed, love my job, easy going kind of person but feel like a nervous wreck. Taking my mind off the situation does help and my Wife is out with the baby at the moment but I know it will flair up again. I do love my son, he is perfect and I know eventually we will have a great relationship but it seems so hard at the moment. My Wife is doing brilliantly with baby but I just feel so guilty that she now has me to contend with also.
Do any Dads on here have experience of this post natal anxiety in men? I know it is more common than many people think just by googling. I keep being told things will improve with baby and I'm sure it will when he sleeps longer at night but that time still seems so far away. I just want to be a good Dad but am wondering if I will ever be able to cope...
Any thoughts much appreciated.