Neurosis during pregnancy: causes, symptoms and prevention of attacks

Causes of neurosis during pregnancy. Symptoms, treatment and prevention

Pregnancy is a completely special condition in which the entire mental metabolism of a woman changes.
She is preparing for future motherhood and childbirth. Many previously significant things become insignificant, values change, new priorities and interests appear. The psyche of pregnant women is very mobile, they often experience mood swings, they are fixated on negative thoughts or events, and they can attach great importance to little things. That is why pregnant women are more susceptible to neuroses than other categories of the population. In addition, changes in hormonal status during pregnancy can provoke the manifestation of previously compensated pathology.

The combination of pregnancy and neurosis undoubtedly affects the development of the baby and the health of the mother. The likelihood of a complicated pregnancy in women with neurosis is higher than in healthy women. Considering the impossibility of prescribing most drugs used to treat neuroses, their prevention in pregnant women becomes especially important.

At the same time, there is a pronounced tendency to reduce the manifestations of psychopathological conditions (from banal depression to schizophrenia) during pregnancy.

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:

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.

During pregnancy, a woman’s psyche, already quite labile, often cannot withstand hormonal changes. A woman’s well-being, mood, and behavior change.

It is important to draw the line between a healthy reaction and neurosis. Unlike short-term, unstable reactions of a healthy person, neuroses significantly affect a woman’s life - they limit her ability to work, interfere with her daily activities, and create problems in communicating with her family.

Pregnancy is a strong emotional and physical stress, it may well cause neurosis.

Neuroses during pregnancy can be divided into two subtypes: neuroses during pregnancy and neuroses that arise after childbirth.

Causes of neurosis

Neuroses in pregnant women arise due to a combination of many factors:

Predisposition. In the overwhelming majority of cases, women who experience neurosis during pregnancy previously had mental problems, were susceptible to phobias, they had complexes about their appearance, fear of crowds, and public speaking.
Hormonal changes. Pregnancy is accompanied by a real “hormonal storm”, for which the body is completely unprepared. The concentration of progesterone increases, prolactin and oxytocin appear. Before pregnancy, a woman’s body does not encounter this combination of hormones. Their concentrations in the blood are also very high. This affects all other organs and systems, necessarily affecting the emotional sphere.
General situation of uncertainty, novelty. On the one hand, pregnancy is an incredibly happy event, on the other hand, it is a completely new condition for a woman. In this state, any changes, even the most insignificant, any new sensations make a woman worry about the health of the unborn child. This is especially true during the first pregnancy. Although no pregnancy is like another, and with repeat pregnancy there are no less reasons for concern.
Physical ailments. Manifestations of toxicosis, increasing weight, and discomfort during sleep lead to additional psychological discomfort.
Household inconveniences. Pregnancy is a radical change in lifestyle. We have to change many habits and abandon the existing way of life. Missing the usual little things can be very traumatic in the long term.

The combination of all these factors leads to a pronounced imbalance in a woman’s psyche, which can manifest itself as depression, panic attacks, phobias, and autonomic disorders. Most of these symptoms can be combined under the concept of neurosis during pregnancy.

Signs of pathology in the expectant mother

During pregnancy, various types of neuroses are possible, it all depends on the initial state of the expectant mother, as well as on age, type of temperament and many external influences. The most typical symptoms are:

Constant irritability and dissatisfaction with everything
Sleep and awakening disorders, insomnia
Mother's tearfulness and vulnerability, tears for any reason
Panic fear of the future (childbirth, raising a baby)
Increased fatigue
Constant or frequent headache

A feeling of internal dissatisfaction when the mother demands from others what she herself does not know. Also, often the expectant mother may suffer from various phobias, or existing fears may intensify.

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.

Symptoms

It is very important to highlight the main symptoms by which you can determine the clinical picture of the disease and prescribe comprehensive treatment. As a rule, these include the following phenomena:

Reduced emotional background. Negative emotions predominate and lead to depression.
Phobias. A woman may develop various phobias, often groundless. If a woman has had fears in the recent past, then repeated reactions and relapse are possible.
Irritation. A woman’s too strong attacks on the simplest everyday situations can indicate mental disorders that need to be treated.

While carrying a child, unforeseen circumstances occur that cause pathologies, including neurotic disorders. It will be useful for any expectant mother to know how pregnancy and neurosis are interconnected and how to treat it.

Neurosis during pregnancy

Neurosis is a disease of a psychogenic nature and is a person’s reaction to a situation that traumatizes the psyche.

As practice shows, in most cases the concepts of “neurosis” and “pregnancy” are adjacent to each other. Neurosis in pregnant women is common; neurotic conditions actually occur quite often in expectant mothers. The main reason for this is the hormonal changes that occur in the pregnant female body. Due to changes in hormonal levels, the psyche of the fair sex often suffers. The result is classic neurosis or prenatal depression. Both are neurotic conditions.

The list of the main causes of neurosis during pregnancy is as follows:

genetic predisposition (as a rule, a neurotic state necessarily occurs in those expectant mothers who have previously, even before pregnancy, encountered problems of this kind);
the game of hormones (hormones create a real storm in the pregnant woman’s body, the high concentration of hormones in the blood of the expectant mother affects all internal organs and systems of the body, without exception);
a situation of uncertainty (the fair sex does not know what will happen next; on the one hand, she is happy that a baby is about to be born, but on the other hand, she is frightened by the uncertainty);
physical ailments (due to manifestations of toxicosis in the early and late stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother experiences additional psychological discomfort, this can aggravate the mental situation);
everyday discomfort (due to the fact that in the life of a pregnant woman everything is different from what it was outside of pregnancy, a woman may suffer from everyday discomfort. For some time, the expectant mother will miss her old habits and all sorts of little things that she had to exclude from her own life with the advent of pregnancy : a cup of coffee, a morning cigarette and much more).

A neurotic state in the early and late stages of pregnancy manifests itself with the following symptoms:

the expectant mother is overly irritable;
she sleeps poorly, does not get enough sleep all the time;
she is afraid of childbirth, which is getting closer every day;
Mommy constantly cries - even over the smallest trifles, and sometimes for no reason at all;
she began to have headaches more often;
sleep became restless and shallow;
the pregnant woman feels total dissatisfaction with her own life;
she gets tired quickly.

Diagnosis of neurosis

Diagnosis of neurosis in a pregnant woman occurs only after visiting a medical specialist. The doctor will talk with the potential patient, ask her prepared questions, and learn about heredity. And only after that the doctor will be able to confirm or refute the alleged diagnosis. The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the minimal the consequences of neurosis will be and the simpler and easier its treatment will be.

If pregnancy occurs during neurosis

Neurosis is not an indication for termination of pregnancy or early delivery. The main task of medical workers and relatives is to create the most comfortable conditions for the expectant mother to bear the long-awaited baby.

Accept your condition as the highest joy and reward given to a woman by nature.
Redistribute household responsibilities within the family. You need more rest.
Replace kitchen chores with a more enjoyable pastime. Revisit your hobbies or learn new crafts.
Eat healthy.
Yoga or other breathing practices have a good effect. Physical exercises for pregnant women will prepare the body for childbirth.
Avoid negative emotions. Watch good old movies, read books.

Our advice will not only help you adapt to your new condition, but will also serve as a set of therapeutic measures to quickly get rid of neurosis.

Oksana Kolenko, neurologist, candidate of medical sciences, especially for the site
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It is no secret that the pregnancy period is a strong shake-up for the body of any woman. In addition to physiological changes in the body, the hormonal system of the expectant mother also undergoes restructuring. During pregnancy, the psyche of women becomes more mobile, their mood is subject to frequent swings, and in some cases, they may experience neurosis that cannot be left without treatment.

Complications

Neurosis during pregnancy is dangerous due to its severe course. If measures are not taken on time, the painful condition will worsen and entail a lot of negative consequences. First of all, for the mother herself. Indirectly - for the baby.

What can you do

A pregnant woman should take an active part in the treatment of neurosis. She is not only obliged to consult a doctor in time for professional help. She should also actively help doctors fight the neurotic state that has settled in her. In order to do this, you must adhere to a number of recommendations.

You need to accept your condition. You need to come to terms with it. The expectant mother must understand one simple truth: everything that is happening to her now is temporary. It is worth trying to look at this situation as unique.
A pregnant woman should take care of herself and pay maximum attention to herself. During the period of bearing a baby, she should put on makeup, visit a hairdresser, dress beautifully and generally feel like one hundred percent woman.
It is equally important to monitor your own nutrition. In this case, the expectant mother should think for two, and not eat for two. Ideally, a pregnant woman's diet should be rich in vegetables and fruits. It is better to eliminate sweets and baked goods from the food system. Preservatives and various biologically active additives are of no use at this time.
The expectant mother must understand: in the near future she will not be able to be as active as she was before pregnancy. Need more rest and calm. But in just a few months, activity will be able to catch up.
Every expectant mother should have her own source of positive emotions. For some these are older children, for others they are pets, and for others it is a hobby. Make time for things that bring you joy. In the early and late stages of pregnancy, it is extremely important to be distracted by pleasant moments.
Not a day should go by without physical exercise. This could be yoga for pregnant women, swimming or water aerobics. But physical education must be present in the life of a future mother.
If the expectant mother is psychologically unwell, she should not be embarrassed to express her feelings to her friend, husband, or doctor. She definitely needs to talk about what worries her.
The expectant mother must remember: only she and her baby are now the most important people on the planet. The expectant mother should base any of her actions and any decision on this.

What can a doctor do?

To treat neurosis in a pregnant woman, the doctor will prescribe psychotherapy. In rare cases, doctors come to the conclusion that it is necessary to prescribe drug treatment. As a rule, everything is limited to the prescription of sedative herbal preparations. The use of tablets and drops is resorted to only when the benefits for the expectant mother compared to the harm to the child are incredibly great. This is the basic rule that doctors follow when prescribing drug therapy.

Antidepressants are prohibited due to:

the fact that pregnancy is a contraindication to their use;
negative impact on the internal organs of the baby, which develops in the womb.

Among the most popular methods of psychotherapeutic treatment are the following:

interpersonal therapy,
cognitive behavioral therapy.

Thanks to these psychotherapy techniques, a woman gets the opportunity to realize the changes taking place in her and feel complete happiness from impending motherhood.

Treatment

Particular importance is attached to the early diagnosis of neuroses. The sooner a woman consults a doctor, the more confidently we can say that the disorder will not affect intrauterine development.

Neurosis in pregnant women is most often a functional pathology. For this reason, the prescription of medications (tranquilizers and antidepressants) is not always justified and should be carried out with great caution. These drugs may have a negative effect on the development of the fetus.

Most often, a psychotherapist can prescribe sedatives of plant origin, for example, tincture of valerian or motherwort. But, since the main contraindication to drug treatment is a developing baby, preference is given to psychotherapy.

The number of psychotherapy sessions is determined by a specialist based on the patient’s condition. Psychotherapy sessions can be conducted individually or in groups. This treatment method, proven over the years, helps the expectant mother return to normal life in the shortest possible time without fears, anxieties and emotional stress.

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.

Prevention

General recommendations for the prevention of neuroses during pregnancy:

Slow down. Take it for granted that you will not be able to do everything in your position. Set your priorities wisely and try to do only what is really important to you.
Delegate your responsibilities. Ask for help from loved ones and work colleagues.
Look after yourself. Buy beautiful, comfortable clothes, use high-quality cosmetics. Maintain your good mood in any way possible.
Make time for hobbies.
Eat tasty and healthy foods throughout your pregnancy.
Move more. Do yoga, gymnastics, or join a swimming pool. Spend more time outdoors. Meet with friends, walk for at least an hour a day. Keep your body in good shape until the day you give birth.
Don't let negative information enter your space. Don't read or watch the news, avoid communicating with people you don't like.
Discuss your experiences with family and friends. Don't keep problems to yourself.
Rest as often as you need. Sleep at least 8 hours a day.
If any unpleasant or alarming symptoms appear, be sure to consult a doctor.

Compliance with these recommendations will allow a woman to avoid the development of neurosis or at least reduce its manifestations during pregnancy.

Causes of neurosis

The expectant mother must understand why she has mental problems. Respiratory neurosis during pregnancy occurs due to a number of reasons.

Hereditary predisposition. Pathology appears at the genetic level. If before conception there was an unbalanced state, then at the time of pregnancy the neurosis will only gain momentum.
Hormonal changes. They radically affect a person’s physiology and mood.
The reasons are psychological. Expecting a baby is an exciting process, especially if it's your first time. A woman thinks about her health, the condition of the fetus, what the child will be like, how the birth will go, etc.
Nausea, weakness, various ailments and other problems always accompany girls during pregnancy.
Household troubles. With pregnancy, more and more everyday issues arise (crib, stroller, money, clothes, repairs). Any little thing can traumatize the psyche. In this matter, a woman needs the support of relatives and her beloved man.

Neurosis and depression appear against the background of several listed points at once.

Neurosis after childbirth

Postpartum neurosis manifests itself in suspicious and anxious women. It is difficult for them to get used to the new role; they are constantly afraid for the child’s health, his life, and proper development. Due to fatigue after childbirth, a mental disorder occurs.

The woman is constantly irritated, has no appetite, and sleep is disturbed. Neurosis affects milk production and disrupts normal feeding of the child.

Due to the innate characteristics of the nervous system, the heavy load of pregnancy and childbirth on the body, a woman may be too exhausted to correspond to the ideal picture of the mother.

Another option is that the woman feels that she does not love the child as much as she should. The discrepancy with the generally accepted picture upsets her even more; the inevitable reaction of others to the “bad mother” is similar to the end of the world.

With postpartum neurosis, it is important for a woman not to isolate herself, but to turn to family and friends for help. Or better yet, contact a qualified specialist who can help you solve the problem.

Just as during pregnancy, you can use non-drug methods to avoid exposing your baby to medications. Individual psychotherapy reduces anxiety and calms the woman. The psychotherapist teaches relaxation skills - proper breathing, getting rid of negative thoughts. Biofeedback therapy teaches you to relax in a more modern way - using a computer program.

Neurosis and pregnancy are two seemingly different concepts that in some cases occur together. How dangerous the manifestation of neurosis is directly depends on the woman’s mental state and her emotional perception of the world. For impulsive women who do not adapt well to new conditions, pregnancy can cause serious stress, which can only be suppressed by the timely intervention of a qualified psychologist.

In any case, if a pregnant woman experiences unreasonable anxiety attacks, this aspect should be paid attention to.

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.

Symptoms

All neuroses are similar in symptoms, regardless of whether the woman is pregnant or not. Differences can only be in vegetative manifestations and the nature of phobias. Neurosis during pregnancy may have the following symptoms:

Phobias appear. Basically, fears arise about the development of the fetus: is there any pathology, is it lying correctly in the womb, will it be born healthy and other concerns. Often, phobias appear about one's appearance. Women are afraid of gaining weight and losing attractiveness to their husbands. Also, relapses of mental illnesses in the anamnesis are possible.
Night sleep is disturbed and increased fatigue appears.
Autonomic disorders may occur: dizziness, headache, sweating, palpitations at rest, numbness of the extremities.
Increased irritability appears, or vice versa – apathy. Particular attention should be paid to irritability. This reaction of a pregnant woman to everyday little things, and her constant stay in a state of stress, has a detrimental effect on the development of the fetus. It is necessary, as soon as possible, to consult a doctor with this problem, who will prescribe the correct treatment.

Treatment of the disease in pregnant women

Treatment of neurosis in many cases involves visiting a psychotherapist and group sessions. If therapy is started in a timely manner, there is a chance of complete recovery and elimination of all symptoms. To correct the condition, you should follow some rules:

It is important to accept that over the course of 9 months, physical and emotional changes are inevitable. You should realize that all this is temporary and will soon pass.
You need to take care of your appearance. Neatness, beauty, and the use of cosmetics will preserve self-esteem and self-confidence. There are many maternity clothing and shoe stores. Various wardrobe items will help a woman look sexy.
Correct diet. The right products will help support a woman’s immunity and general health. The maximum amount of vitamins is found in vegetables and fruits. Don't get carried away with food additives and preservatives. You should read how many useful elements are included in the products you eat.
Good rest and good sleep. A woman will not be able to handle the number of household and work tasks that she did before pregnancy.
It will be useful to get carried away with something. Positive emotions are very important for pregnant women.
A little physical activity won't hurt either. Special aerobics will help a woman relax. Walking and a little activity will help overcome stress and prepare the body for the upcoming birth.
It is important to talk about your experiences to your loved ones and your doctor. The help of relatives and specialists is very necessary during this period. It is possible to turn to psychologists.
Remember that for 9 months nothing is more important than you and your baby.

There are cases when psychotherapeutic treatment did not produce the desired result. If this occurs in a pregnant woman, you need to visit a doctor who will prescribe the necessary medications. Sedatives and herbal medications are prescribed. Occasionally, antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed. This type of medication is bad for the health of the child and woman. The doctor must check a large number of factors, examine the mother and fetus, and only then prescribe treatment.

There are many medications that have minimal side effects, but the use of such drugs should be a last resort.

Prevention of neuroses

First of all, it is necessary to redistribute housekeeping responsibilities. You will need more time to rest or go for walks.
Accept your condition and come to terms with the fact that some changes in your body are inevitable, but not permanent. They will pass soon.
Take care of your appearance, always be beautiful and neat, use special cosmetics. Wear clothes purchased from maternity stores. If you look attractive, you will have self-confidence and there will be no reason for negative thoughts to appear.
It is very important to engage in special physical exercises designed for expectant mothers. They not only have a beneficial effect on the course of pregnancy, but also have a positive effect on the emotional state of the woman.
Take tight control of your diet. Avoid fried, spicy and fatty foods. Read on the packaging of the products what they consist of. Do not eat food with preservatives, dyes, flavors or flavor enhancers. Your diet should consist of raw vegetables and fruits.
You should not give up hobbies and entertainment - this is an additional source of positive emotions.
Share your worries or fears with your loved ones. It is important not to keep the problem to yourself, but to speak out in time. It is relatives who most often force an indecisive woman to seek help from a doctor, which helps avoid the development of severe neurosis.
You and your baby are the most important people to take the most care of during pregnancy. Remember this.

Almost the dominant role in the prevention of neuroses is played by the atmosphere in the family. If the expectant mother does not feel loneliness, but, on the contrary, is surrounded by care and love; if she is confident in the future and feels the support of others, then the occurrence of nervous disorders is practically reduced to zero.

Neurosis, or neurotic disorder, is a collective name for a group of various reversible psychogenic disorders. Such conditions tend to be protracted and can lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of life. Neurosis often occurs in young women, including during pregnancy.

How to deal with neurosis?

As a rule, treatment of neurosis in pregnant women does not require any special therapy and can be carried out by adjusting the daily routine and using special psychotherapeutic techniques. If the neurosis has not yet fully manifested itself, but the prerequisites for its development already exist, the woman is advised to immediately consult a doctor! This will quickly solve the problem and prevent the progression of the disease.

First of all, a detailed diagnosis will be carried out, which will allow us to most fully assess the situation.

If no threat to the fetus is detected, the woman will be given a number of simple recommendations to normalize her condition:

Peace. The first thing a representative of the fair sex needs to do is come to terms with her current state and try to love herself just like that. Pregnancy is by no means a death sentence, but only the beginning of a new happy life.
Harmony with yourself. Even despite her, in a woman’s opinion, unattractive appearance, she should definitely take care of herself and indulge in new purchases. This simple method will increase your self-esteem and improve your mood somewhat.
Power control. Many women, having felt even a slight weight gain, lose control of themselves, consuming food in any quantity. The kilograms gained naturally during pregnancy will easily go away after childbirth, but excess weight gained through overeating will have to be lost through hard training in the gym.
Complete rest. It is rest and positive emotions that have a beneficial effect on the body of a woman and her unborn baby. You should not skimp on emotions! There should be as many of them in the life of a pregnant woman as possible!

Pregnancy is a period in a woman’s life that she will certainly remember with special reverence. She has a long and interesting life ahead of her, during which she will now be accompanied by a child!