What is pregnancy paranoia and anxiety?

This blog will answer questions about: what is pregnancy paranoia and anxiety? What are the causes of experiencing paranoia or anxiety during pregnancy? What are some risk factors that contribute to anxiety and paranoia during pregnancy? What are the ways to cope with anxiety and paranoia during pregnancy?

What is pregnancy paranoia and anxiety?

Pregnancy paranoia or anxiety refers to the increased worry and anxiousness that women experience during the course of pregnancy. These worries are usually pregnancy-related.

Some women have had bad experiences with pregnancy in the past. Such women might experience even higher levels of anxiety and paranoia than those who haven’t had negative experiences.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that every woman at some point during pregnancy experiences anxiousness, panic attacks, and discomfort associated with these disturbing thoughts.

It is well known that experiencing anxiety is normal for any individual. However, experiencing very high levels of anxiety during pregnancy can be called antenatal anxiety. In such situations, the woman needs to consult and seek professional help before it leads to irreversible damage.

What are the symptoms of anxiety or paranoia during pregnancy?

The amount of anxiety that women experience during pregnancy can vary in its severity from mild to very severe which interferes with her daily functioning and might be harmful to the baby as well as the mother.

Some symptoms that women experience during pregnancy are :

• Inability to concentrate on the daily task
• Feeling an increased sense of anxiousness
• Persistent and uncontrollable amounts of worry especially about one’s own health that could affect the baby
• Feelings of irritation or agitation
• Decrease in appetite
• Improper sleep patterns
• Bouts of panic attacks that are sudden and progressive.
• Sense of breathlessness
• A sense of losing control or going crazy
• Feeling that something unfavorable may happen

What are the causes of experiencing paranoia or anxiety during pregnancy?

Many women experience an increased level of anxiety or paranoia during pregnancy. The main reason associated with this increased level of anxiety could be the fluctuations in hormones that are primarily associated with pregnancy.

Apart from the hormonal changes, there are many other changes that an old woman has to undergo during pregnancy. These drastic changes for women can be very overwhelming and uncomfortable.

Apart from the physical and physiological changes that are naturally associated with pregnancy many women also experience additional complications or issues related to the birth of the child.

All these reasons stated above might contribute to the increased level of anxiety or paranoia that women complain of during pregnancy.

 

What are some risk factors that contribute to anxiety and paranoia during pregnancy?

It is very common and natural for women to experience anxiousness during pregnancy. However, there are certain factors that make some women more vulnerable to experiencing anxiety than others. These risk factors are:

• A history of anxiety or panic attacks in the family
• A personal history of mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, or panic attack
• Exposure to traumatic experiences in the past
• Age of the pregnant woman. It is believed that young women during pregnancy can experience high levels of anxiety than older women during pregnancy.
• Concerns of fertility and history of pregnancy loss.
• Use of harmful drugs or substances
• Unfavorable lifestyle
• Excessive stress

What are the ways to cope with anxiety during pregnancy?

Pregnancy for any woman might be overwhelming and discomforting. It is very important that they take responsibility for managing this anxiety or paranoia that they experience during this time.

Some strategies that one can adopt  to deal with the anxiety or paranoia during pregnancy are:

Talk about who their feelings

If a woman is experiencing high levels of anxiousness at any time during pregnancy they need to share it either with their family friends or professionals. Sharing how one feeling might help in reducing the anxiousness a little.

 

Carry out pleasurable activities

it is well known that women are expected to stay happier than usual during pregnancy in order to maintain the good health of the baby

In order to do that women can engage in activities that are pleasurable and less stress-provoking. These might include carrying out hobbies or even indulging in pregnancy-friendly exercises such as walking, yoga, and running.

Writing a journal

it is very common for women to feel extremely Moody during pregnancy. that being said sometimes women might not be comfortable with sharing their feelings verbally with another person.

An alternative for this could be writing about their feelings in a journal. Writing down one’s feelings and thoughts may help to organize and reflect on one’s mood.

These thoughts and feelings can also be shared with professionals later in order to seek professional assistance.

Seek professional help

sometimes the amount of anxiety that women experience during pregnancy cannot be controlled by self-help techniques. In such situations, they do require to seek help from a professional therapist. this is required for the betterment of both the mother as well as the baby. It is known that very high levels of anxiety during the earlier stage and the later stages can be very risky. It might lead to miscarriage or low birth weight respectively.

Conclusion

Studies show that about 15 percent of pregnant women have anxiety disorders, as common as depression during pregnancy.

Anxiety and paranoia during pregnancy are very natural and common. However, it might differ in severity from person to person. the best way to manage this anxiety and paranoia is to talk about it with their friend’s families and even professionals. Apart from this trying out some relaxation or stress management techniques might also help to keep calm.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can pregnancy make women paranoid?

It is found that prenatal anxiety is as prevalent as prenatal depression affecting around 20% of expecting mothers around the world.

Prenatal anxiety or depression can vary in severity. Mothers experiencing prenatal anxiety experience excessive worry and even paranoia-like symptoms.

How can I stop being paranoid during pregnancy?

Some techniques that might help in reducing anxiety during pregnancy are:

• Avoid reading up too much about pregnancy and pregnancy-related challenges and difficulties
• Carry out relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
• Actively try to manage your stress by doing activities like going out for a walk or carrying out activities that one enjoys.
• Try and talk about how you are feeling with family friends and even professionals
• Don’t play the blame game while feeling low

How can I calm my anxiety during pregnancy?

Some ways that a woman can avoid the chances of experiencing anxiety during pregnancy are :

• Get a good 7 to 8 hours of sleep whenever possible at night
• Eat healthy and balanced food that is required for the mother and baby
• Despite pregnancy delated fatty try and stay active
• Try reading books that help to manage the difficulties that tag along with pregnancy
• Get in touch with a support group of new moms
• Take out time for meditation, yoga, or exercise.

Can anxiety during pregnancy harm the baby?

Very high levels of anxiety might have adverse effects on the baby as well as the mother. In severe cases, very high levels of anxiety might lead to a miscarriage during the initial stages of pregnancy.

On the other hand, when anxiety is experienced during the last stage of the pregnancy it might result in a low birth weight of the child.

What causes anxiety or paranoia during pregnancy?

It is believed that during pregnancy women experience fluctuations in their hormones. this shift in hormones and the reaction of the body to these fluctuations might result in anxiety or panic attacks during pregnancy.

Citation

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/anxiety-coping-tips#next-steps

https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/depression/