Night-time Anxiety

[Scaredatnight]

I am 4 Months post-partum my partner has started a new job FIFO and I have irrational Anxiety at night between midnight and sunrise when I wake to feed my baby. Afraid my dog is a skin walker or aliens are coming to take my baby. I am not coping and don't want to feel like this.

[Dimity]

Hello @Scaredatnight and welcome. It's great you've reached out, it's a challenging time and you've been through a lot of changes. You must be feeling very vulnerable. 

Have you come across PANDA? 

https://www.panda.org.au can help with perinatal depression and post-partum psychosis. 

And it's also good to touch base with your GP and maternal and child health nurse . 

Big hugs, do you have family and friends for support? The forums are good but very quiet sometimes and I'm sorry @moderator hasn't responded to you.

[Misty7]

Hi @Scaredatnight,

sorry to hear you are having a hard time. It's great that you have reached out and are seeking support. Do you find that your anxiety is worse when your partner leaves for work? It can't be pleasant having thoughts about your baby being harmed. Coping can be hard sometimes. Are you able to get in touch with your local family doctor as soon as possible? They can put you on medication for the anxiety you are experiencing and any support services you need. Please be gentle with yourself and take care. Wishing you the best. Feel free to reach out again here on SANE. 

*Don't hesitate to contact Beyond Blue for extra support they are open 24/7: 1300 224 636

[AuntGlow]

Hello @Scaredatnight 💛

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Whilst I haven't experienced what you are going through specifically, I absolutely understand night time anxiety and how scary that can feel. It sounds like not having your partner there for extended periods is really tough, especially with a newborn to take care of.

I am curious to know if you have any professional supports lined up at the moment?

And do you have any safe or supportive people you can turn to right now?

I am also wondering if you can become curious about what fear might be underneath these thought patterns? My instinct is that this might be the very thing that needs your attention and nurturing right now.

And lastly, I wonder what might help to create a sense of safety for you tonight? Do you have any go-to self-care activities? For example, a warm shower, some music, a favourite TV show, or a cozy blanket? 

Thank you for your lovely support @Misty7 @Dimity, I am going to tag in @MissGremlin, who I think would be wonderful to speak about this with too. 🥰

[MissGremlin]

Thankyou for tagging me in @AuntGlow ❤️.

Hello @Scaredatnight, I'm about to head to sleep but I'll reply to your post in the morning properly. I'm often up at crazy hours throughout the night so if you ever want to chat you're more than welcome to tag me and I'll reply if I'm up. Know that you're not alone in this, we're here for you ❤️.

[MissGremlin]

Morning @Scaredatnight, I apologise for not getting a chance to reply to you earlier, things got a bit chaotic for me. Wanted to come past and check in to see how you are going though? We're here for you ❤️.

[Scaredatnight]

Thank you.I have changed my meds and tried to change my thinking a bit and i've noticed I am coping a lot better at night

[MissGremlin]

@Scaredatnight I'm glad to hear that you're coping better at night. I often wake up having panic attacks so I get how tough anxiety is during the night. Hope things keep improving for you sweet, you've got this ❤️.