Popular mummy blogger, Mel Watts, has opened up about her battle with perinatal anxiety.
The mother-of-four, from the Central Coast in NSW, penned a candid post about the condition which she developed after the birth of her youngest child, Sonny.
Mel, also known as The Modern Mumma, explained that a year and a half ago she was desperately Googling her extensive list of symptoms as tears ‘streamed’ down her face.
‘My heart was racing, I was shaking and I felt scared. I had been feeling like this for months and every time I went to get help I was told it was IBS or a stomach infection,’ she wrote.
Popular mummy blogger Mel Watts has opened up about her battle with perinatal anxiety
The mother-of-four, from the Central Coast in NSW, penned a candid post about the condition which she developed after the birth of her youngest child, Sonny
Mel said all social interactions were difficult for her and her anxiety was so bad, she often avoided leaving the house altogether.
‘I remember once I left my children at the checkout in the trolley with the workers so I could go to the bathroom,’ she said.
‘I wouldn’t go the gym, I wouldn’t go to friends houses, I wouldn’t even think about going out for the night or a party. I’d rather sit at home – it was easier.’
She said that at the time neither her or her husband understood what was going on, no matter how much she tried to explain how she was feeling.
Mel explained that social interactions were hard for her and she would avoid leaving the house
The post has received an out pouring of support and thank yous from mothers who have been, or are, in similar situations
Mel said that although her husband tried to help her, he had no success.
‘I remember thinking he thinks I’m insane, he must think I’m an absolute looney [sic], I bet he regrets marrying me,’ she continued.
‘I started hiding the feelings I was having. I would go into the bathroom and cry, I would sit on the toilet and sob whilst saying to him it must have been something I ate.’
She said that at the time neither her or her husband understood what was going on, no matter how much she tried to explain how she was feeling
Although Mel had lots of people in her life she explained that she still felt ‘so alone’ and felt like ‘a fool, an idiot, a loser’
Although Mel had lots of people in her life she explained that she still felt ‘so alone’ and felt like ‘a fool, an idiot and a loser’.
‘The only way I could venture outside my four walls was with a packet of gastro stop and two anti nausea tablets in my stomach,’ Mel said.
‘I could function then, just. But enough to get the children to school and go and get bread and milk.’
Mel was isolating herself from the people around her but after a while, decided to visit a psychologist.
Although Mel had lots of people in her life she explained that she still felt ‘so alone’
‘I walked into that room a year ago broken, lost, scared and miserable. I cried the whole session,’ she said.
‘He listened to me and finally he gave me the answer I have been searching for.’
It was this psychologist who told her that although she had had her baby months earlier, she was suffering perinatal anxiety.
Mel also found out that while she was after a quick-fix, it wasn’t going to happen, and anxiety was something she had to learn to live with
Mel was isolating herself from the people around her but after a while, decided to visit a psychologist
Mel also found out that while she was after a quick-fix, it wasn’t going to happen, and anxiety was something she had to learn to live with.
She reiterated that it’s okay to not be okay and said she urged others to seek professional help when they need it.
The post has received an outpouring of support and ‘thank yous’ from mothers who have been, or are, in similar situations.
She reiterated that it’s okay to not be okay and said she urged others to seek professional help when they need it
‘Thank you for vocalizing [sic] it. Thank YOU for you, you wouldn’t be who you are today without going through it, yet I am sure (I know) we’d much rather not go through it. But onward and upward and time to take back “you”,’ one woman wrote in the comments.
Another mother said that her anxiety kicked in after the birth of her second child and has been lying in the background ever since.
‘The last two months have been truly difficult. With some really tough moments, but other times I’m perfectly fine. It’s just crazy (excuse the pun) hoe [sic] it can just hit you and take control of your body.
‘And yes it makes you feel like an idiot for being anxious about ‘nothing’. But with understanding, and support it’s amazing what you can do.’