Anxiety and Depression awareness is SO important!! Educating the community about WHAT it is and encouraging people to become familiar with the signs and WHAT to look out for is a huge goal of PANDA awareness week! Today I will be talking about what options, help and support you have available. Becoming familiar with the signs is one thing but then acting on those signs is the next crucial step. Knowing you are NOT alone and that help and support is out there is not only comforting but a HUGE positive step in mental health AWARENESS and moving forward.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE PERINATAL DEPRESSION AND OR ANXIETY?
If you are experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety it is important to reach out and seek help. Its amazing that there are so many options available these days and it is SO important that you do what works for you. Below I have listed some of the available options..
– Speaking to your General Practioner (GP)
– Obstetrician
– Maternity health Nurse
– Midwife
– Psychologist
– Counsellor
– Naturopath
– Contact ME here at The Anxiety Wellness Queen for one on one coaching 😉
And of course any other health care professional that you feel comfortable with. The first step is to discuss your symptoms and concerns with them. This will allow the professional to share all of your options with you and direct you to the appropriate information and help.
There are a couple more networks that are ALSO very important when it comes to the treatment and support process of depression and anxiety.
a) Support from your Family/Friends. I cant stress the importance of having a good support network around you! Having people around you that care for you, offer a helping hand or even just a shoulder to cry on can play a big role in the healing process. The support of family and friends is not about having someone tell you what to do or how to overcome the feelings and thoughts you are going through, it is about having someone there to listen to you when you need a vent and to remind you that all will be OK.. because it will.
b) Mothers Groups and Community Organisations. Receiving support from another mum is amazing! They have a better understanding about what you’re going through, they feel your pain and share your tears. Getting involved with mother’s groups whether it be online, where you can speak to like-minded women, share your stories and concerns OR attend ‘catch ups’ in person run by local groups and organisations. This will allow you to meet different women from different cultures and backgrounds, all varying in interests and hobbies.. above all YOU will find your place and create your own little community amongst it.
At the end of the day I can’t stress enough how much help and support IS really out there, I know it can be disheartening if you attend something that you don’t like or feel comfortable with. My advice is to just keep trying, whether it be finding the right professional, mothers group or the tools and techniques that work for you. Keep persisting and never give up!
In Part 4 I will be talking about Men and Perinatal Depression and Anxiety, I’m really looking forward to sharing this one because so many people never knew it existed!
Bye for now
Amanda Cavallaro
The Anxiety Wellness Queen
PREGNANCY BIRTH & BABY 1800 882 436
LIFELINE 13 11 14
PANDA 1300 726 306
BEYOND BLUE 1300 224 636
THE ANXIETY WELLNESS QUEEN (that’s me!)
