Neurosis during pregnancy is often perceived by others as a common occurrence. Relatives and acquaintances perceive this state of expectant mothers as a given, which can be explained by the hormonal changes occurring in the woman’s body. However, according to experts, neurosis during pregnancy is in fact a serious pathological condition, the elimination of which requires special qualified medical care.
There is no doubt that the combination of such concepts as pregnancy and neurosis negatively affects the development of the child and the health of the expectant mother. In women who are in a state of neurosis, the risk of developing complications during pregnancy is much higher than in healthy pregnant women. Considering the fact that while waiting for the birth of a baby, taking many medications is unacceptable, great importance is attached to prevention.
Causes of neuroses during pregnancy
First you need to identify the causes of neurosis during pregnancy. This condition can be caused by the following factors:
- Predisposition. As experience shows, quite often such a mental disorder is observed in those representatives of the fair half of humanity who previously had mental disorders and various phobias. At the same time, such women had complexes about their appearance and were afraid of huge crowds of people.
- Changes in hormonal levels. As a rule, the body is not ready for such hormonal changes caused by a woman’s “interesting” position. The level of progesterone rises in the blood, and the hormone prolactin appears. Before conception took place, the body did not deal with such a combination of hormones. These kinds of changes affect the functioning of all organs and systems, also affecting the emotional state.
- The cause of such neurotic disorders may also lie in a feeling of uncertainty and novelty. After all, on the one hand, the birth of a new life is a joyful event, on the other hand, such a state is something completely new. This unusual state and new sensations make the expectant mother worry about the baby’s health. This trend can be seen very clearly during the first pregnancy.
- Physical ailments caused by toxicosis, growing weight and inconvenience during sleep can also lead to psychological problems.
- An attack of neurosis can also be triggered by everyday inconveniences associated with pregnancy.
The influence of all of these factors leads to an imbalance in the mental state of the expectant mother, which manifests itself in the form of depression, panic attacks and various fears. All these conditions are characteristic of neurosis.
Symptoms of pregnancy neurosis
The clinical picture of neurosis during pregnancy is largely similar to the manifestations in non-pregnant women. Differences may arise in the nature of fears and the severity of vegetative phenomena. Let's take a closer look at the symptoms:
- Decreased emotional background. There may be a significant predominance of negative emotions, even to the point of depression.
- The appearance of phobias. Fears can be of a very different nature. It is possible that there may be an exacerbation or recurrence of pre-existing fears, as well as the emergence of new ones. Most of them turn out to be related to the condition of the unborn child. Frequent worries about changes in appearance, fear of becoming unattractive to the spouse.
- Apathy. Depression and apathy are two sides of the same coin. Poor health, thoughts of abandonment and uselessness aggravate it.
- Irritability. A trait traditionally attributed to pregnant women, which is often not even attempted to be treated. Be careful, pregnancy does not equal irritability. An overly emotional reaction to everyday little things can and should be treated, because a constant state of stress is very harmful to the unborn child.
- Autonomic disorders. In addition to manifestations of toxicosis, neurosis during pregnancy can be accompanied by numerous symptoms from internal organs. These are palpitations, sweating, dizziness, paresthesia, numbness of the limbs and many other manifestations.
Signs of neurosis in expectant mothers
The symptoms of a neurotic disorder in pregnant women are no different from the signs of this condition in other categories of people. In this case, the following manifestations should be highlighted:
- unstable emotional background;
- a state of apathy or excessive irritability;
- depression and a lot of negative emotions;
- sleep disturbance and increased fatigue;
- with neurosis, pregnant women have severe and incessant headaches, and dizziness often occurs;
- excessive sweating, severe shortness of breath, sudden increase in heart rate;
- lack of appetite, stool disorders, nausea and vomiting;
- the appearance of a feeling of numbness in the arms and legs;
- a state of increased anxiety, the occurrence of panic attacks and various pathological fears.
Neurosis during pregnancy requires special attention from loved ones and medical care. Otherwise, this threatens the development of complications during pregnancy.
Symptomatic picture
The symptoms of neurosis during pregnancy are almost identical to those that existed before it. There are differences in the nature of fear and vegetative manifestations. Main symptoms:
- Weakened emotional background. There is a possibility of increased manifestation of negative emotions.
- The emergence of fears. Phobias can be of various types. There is a possibility of exacerbation of existing fears and the emergence of new ones - fears are associated with changes in appearance, weight gain, and also the fear of becoming unattractive to your husband.
- Apathy or depression. Poor health and negative thoughts only make the situation worse.
- Irritability. If inappropriate behavior or strong emotional outbursts are observed, you need to consult your doctor, he will prescribe medications that relieve stress.
- Autonomic disorders. In addition to toxicosis, severe sweating, rapid heartbeat, and headaches are observed.
Therapy for neurosis during pregnancy
Of great importance is not only timely contact with a qualified specialist who will prescribe the necessary treatment, but also the active participation of the patient herself in eliminating the pathological condition. Help in this case consists of following the following recommendations:
- The expectant mother must accept the fact of her unhealthy condition and come to terms with it, understanding that this phenomenon is only temporary. Treatment in this case should consist of treating your condition as something unique.
- A woman should be as attentive to herself as possible during the period of bearing a child. You should not give up using cosmetics, going to the hairdresser and beautiful clothes. All this only improves your mood and allows you to remain feminine. It is very pleasant to treat yourself in this way.
- Nutrition control is no less important. There is no need to eat for two, you just need to take care of the health of the baby and mother. It is necessary to include as many fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. It would be better if you limit the consumption of sweets and flour products, and also completely eliminate canned foods - then the treatment will be much more effective.
- The expectant mother needs more rest and peace.
- A woman should find a source that will nourish her with positive emotions throughout her pregnancy. It could be a favorite hobby or a pet. This is the so-called mental state treatment.
- You should not give up physical activity during pregnancy. You can do, for example, yoga for pregnant women or water aerobics.
- If the expectant mother feels some kind of internal psychological discomfort, then she should tell someone close to her about it. There is no need to accumulate negative emotions within yourself.
If a severe form of mental disorder has developed, the psychotherapist together with the obstetrician-gynecologist may decide to prescribe the expectant mother sedatives based on medicinal herbs. Drug treatment during pregnancy is permissible only if absolutely necessary.
Thus, if a woman wants to maintain her health and also safely bear a child, she needs to take care of the psychological component during this period. Any nervous shock can affect the child in the future.
Features of the psyche during pregnancy
With conception, a woman’s body changes dramatically. Metabolism increases, but the psychological picture worsens. A woman is already subconsciously preparing for the imminent birth of a baby and motherhood. Many things that were unimportant before pregnancy now come first.
The psyche during this period is unstable. The mood is changeable. The expectant mother pays attention to bad events and minor situations. Because of this, respiratory neurosis visits her more often during pregnancy. than other people. Changes in the hormonal field can be abrupt, and therefore there is a possibility of neurosis.
This disease affects the expectant mother, the fetus, its development and subsequent life after birth. Pregnant women suffering from neurosis have a high risk of contracting pathologies during pregnancy.
Is it possible to give birth with neurosis?
July 2, 2015, 5:32 pm
Due to pregnancy, there was an exacerbation of neurosis, apparently it was always there, but there were certain neurotic reactions earlier, well, I was always able to cope with them. Now I am almost constantly in anxiety, it is exhausting, I tried to work with my thoughts, I have already seen many psychotherapists and psychologists I contacted him, it was very difficult, I could barely stand it, the child was of course very good. It’s a pity, I ask his forgiveness, he has nothing to do with it, girls, tell me who had something similar, how they fought, how it all ended. Anyone who has had neurosis will understand me; during pregnancy it generally proceeds unpredictably. Please do not judge, I am looking for support, maybe someone who is pregnant now and in the same anxious state, write.
July 2, 2015, 5:50 pm
I have had. I can’t imagine how my husband endured everything, I already thought that this would never go away. It’s been about a month after giving birth) don’t worry, everything will pass and you won’t remember it)
July 2, 2015, 5:52 pm
During pregnancy, all feelings are heightened, after the birth of the child everything will go away!
July 2, 2015, 5:58 pm
Consult a Neurologist, after childbirth the load will be even greater(
July 2, 2015, 6:01 pm
and non-pregnant acquaintances who are seismically sensitive?
July 2, 2015, 6:18 pm
author, do you take vitamins? consult your doctor about Magne B6 - this is a vitamin for the nervous system; it is often prescribed to pregnant women. But it also seems to relieve cramps, I drank it almost the entire pregnancy and I walked around happy)))
July 2, 2015, 6:46 pm
I have this condition all the time)) when I’m pregnant I’ll even be scared to imagine what will happen
