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I'm 16 months pp and honestly, it just keeps getting worse. I've been exercising regularly, which was helping but it's almost like I've adapted to regular exercise and it no longer helps. I have an appt with my OB next week and I need to start seeing a therapist again.

@Pumpkin Pie: for me, pp anxiety is worrying 24/7 about things that aren't even logical, aren't likely to happen, or are completely out of my control. I've lost sleep because of it and it's been pretty debilitating.

My "normal" worrying made sense, I felt happier and more care free (I didn't have PPA/PPD with my second baby so I think I compare how I feel now to how I feel after having my second). Even if I did worry sometimes, it didn't take over my every thought like it has recently (pp with third baby).

@Pumpkin Pie: I had anxiety/depression before kids and was on lexapro for years. I had weaned off it a couple of years before kids. But after I had my babies I could feel the anxiousness coming back. You don't feel normal. I was extra sad and would cry a lot. I felt uneasy. It's hard to explain but it's more than just general worry. I felt like I had to act happy, not just be happy. So I went back on lexapro and weaned off of it about 6 months post partum.

@Pumpkin Pie: Yeah it's so, so different from just general worry about your baby. Every time LO was napping I would lie in bed paralyzed with fear, my mouth gone completely dry and my heart pounding through my throat. Not focused on anything specific, just consumed with fear. I could barely eat since food didn't taste good and my mouth was always dry, so I would choke down energy bars to keep nourished. I couldn't enjoy outings or activities because I was constantly focused on the possibility of something going wrong, which is not at all consistent with my normal personality.

I am so so glad I was already aware of how effective psychiatric treatment can be for anxiety and depression, having witnessed it in many family members and friends, since that knowledge spurred me to get help as fast as I possibly could. I'm very lucky that I have felt 100% better since just a few weeks after I started treatment. I've asked my psychiatrist if we can wean off the Zoloft and we're going to begin stepping down in January.

@PawPrints: do you remember how long it took you to start noticing an affect from the Zoloft? I just started taking it a couple days ago at half the dose and think it's already helping? not sure.

@Eko: I was on a full dose for about 4 days when I started feeling better - as in I could target when I was getting anxiety as opposed to it being a constant thing. There were two times of day it was worst so I went on walks during those times, then it was once a day within 10-14 days. The ability to sleep a bit more instead of completely panic also helped. I felt a lot better in just two weeks and weaned off Zoloft without issue within 6 months.

Thanks for your honest responses. I worry a lot about LO. I'm more worried/anxious with LO than I ever was/thought I would be. I don't know whether its common after having a child, or whether its really PPA. I think it has gotten a little better?

@Pumpkin Pie: How old is your LO? My anxiety didn't stem from worrying about LO. I probably exhibited some symptoms while I was on maternity leave, but everything was really exasperated once I started back at work. I have not been able to manage anything. But, my symptoms were a lot of crying at night and being very emotionally detached from everything. The anxiety has greatly debilitated my ability to function. I can't focus and am unable to make choices about anything. I would say that you should talk to your doctor if you feel like you aren't feeling well.

@yellowbird: I don't think mine is directly pp related. It's more being able to manage everything now that I'm a working mom. I've had a lot of not everyday stress (my mom is sick, death in family, etc.). I started seeing a therapist that was recommended through my ob and after a couple sessions she recommended medication. I think if you think it's worse it's worth a discussion with your doctor.