Panic Attacks during Pregnancy

Panic attacks during pregnancy are a very common phenomenon. Research studies show that close to 30 percent of all women will deal with some type of anxiety-related illness during their lifetime, and during pregnancy, women seem to be even more vulnerable. The reasons for this are complicated.

Most panic attacks strike without warning, and cannot always be linked to a particular event or stressor. This makes it very difficult to pinpoint an exact cause. But most doctors agree that both physical and psychological factors during pregnancy may play a role in the onset of these attacks.

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Pregnancy is a time of great change in a woman’s body. Hormone levels are elevated, which can cause significant swings in mood and behavior. The levels of estrogen and progesterone are in a constant state of flux and these changes, especially during a first pregnancy, can often be very difficult for women to manage. In this state of change, anxiety-related illnesses such as panic attacks can flourish.

Psychological factors also contribute to panic attacks during pregnancy. Mothers-to-be often worry excessively over such things like the health of the baby, their ability to be a good mother, financial concerns and the change in lifestyle they will undergo in their new role as a mother. Taken together with the enormity of physical changes pregnancy causes, the stress can be overwhelming.

Treating panic attacks during pregnancy can be very difficult. Women are worried—as they should be—about the effect medication will have on the fetus and most doctors agree that the use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy should be avoided. There are, however, a number of non medical techniques that can be employed to help cope with the effects of panic attacks during pregnancy.

These natural approaches are safe for both mother and baby and can significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of attacks. Below are just a few methods that have proven successful for many women.

• Meditation. The changes, both physical and psychological, that women experience during pregnancy can cause a great deal of stress. Worrying about the future, while normal during this time, can exacerbate this stress and increase the likelihood of panic attacks. Meditation is a relaxation technique that combines focused, measured breathing with an emphasis on experiencing only what is happening in the present. This “right now” strategy can be extremely effective both during an attack and as a strategy for preventing them.
  
  
• Exposure. Panic attacks can cause irrational fear that may be linked to a specific place or event. Avoiding these triggers, or worrying about them, can often make panic worse. Exposure therapy is a technique in which people gradually face these fears, exposing themselves slowly to the fearful situation, and learning to cope with the frightening symptoms.
  
  
• Self-Talk. Panic attacks can trigger irrational fears. A fear of dying, going crazy or losing control is often reported during these attacks, but it is important to remember that none of these fears is rooted in reality and the longer you allow them to hold you captive the more strength you are giving them. Self-talk is a way to reassure yourself that everything is going to be okay and that what you are experiencing is not dangerous. Tell yourself that you are in control and combine those words with relaxed breathing and you can reduce the severity of the attack.

Panic attacks during pregnancy, while certainly frightening, are very common. If you are experiencing symptoms such as irrational fear or dread, shallow breathing, sweating, palpitations and trembling, you are one of many women whose system is responding absurdly to the many changes that are taking place in the body. You are not alone and treatment is available. Check with your health provider about developing an individual strategy for managing your symptoms.

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