Perinatal Anxiety Support Groups Barrie, Ontario: You Are Not Alone
Perinatal Anxiety Support Groups Barrie, Ontario: You Are Not Alone
Are you experiencing excessive worry or fear during your pregnancy or postpartum period? You're not alone. Perinatal anxiety is a common but treatable condition that affects many pregnant and postpartum women in Barrie, Ontario, and across Canada.
This blog post will discuss the signs and symptoms of perinatal anxiety, the benefits of joining a perinatal anxiety support group in Barrie, Ontario, and how to manage anxiety on your own. We'll also highlight the After Baby support group offered locally and our exciting new group launching in Fall 2024 by Amber Sperling Social Work and Psychotherapy Services by Serenity Birth Studio.
Signs and Symptoms of Perinatal Anxiety
Perinatal anxiety can manifest in different ways for each woman. Here are some common signs and symptoms to watch out for:
Excessive worry or fear about pregnancy, childbirth, or your baby's health
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Feeling restless or irritable
Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia)
Panic attacks
Physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, or stomachaches
Sarah stared at the ceiling, the rhythmic whoosh of the white noise machine a dull counterpoint to the frantic drumming in her chest. Her baby, nestled in the bassinet beside her, slept soundly, oblivious to the storm brewing within Sarah. Every gurgle, every sigh, sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over her. Was he breathing too fast? Too slow? What if he stopped altogether? These intrusive thoughts, once fleeting worries, now consumed her every waking moment.
John found her this way, morning after morning. The bags under her eyes, the vacant stare that never quite landed on their son, tore at his heart. He tried to be patient, offering reassurances that fell silent in the face of her terror. He longed for the vibrant woman he'd fallen in love with, the one who held their son with such tenderness, her eyes sparkling with joy. Now, that joy seemed replaced by a suffocating fear. John knew something had to change, for Sarah, for their son, for their family.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to reach out for help. Perinatal anxiety can be effectively treated with therapy.
Benefits of Joining a Perinatal Support Group in Barrie, Ontario
Joining a perinatal anxiety support group in Barrie, Ontario, can provide many benefits for women and men struggling with this condition. Here are a few:
Connection and support: Support groups connect you with other parents who understand what you're going through. This can help you feel less alone and isolated.
Shared experiences: In a support group setting, you can share your experiences and learn from others' coping mechanisms.
Validation: Support groups can validate your feelings and help you normalize your anxiety.
Reduced stigma: Talking about perinatal anxiety in a safe and supportive environment can help reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
Hope and encouragement: Hearing success stories from other women who have overcome perinatal anxiety can give you hope for your own recovery.
Three Tips to Reduce Perinatal Anxiety Now
If you're struggling with perinatal anxiety, here are three tips you can try to reduce your anxiety now:
Education: Educate yourself about perinatal anxiety. The more you know about the condition, the better equipped you will be to manage it. Often our worry about our worries and worry about our anxious symptoms increases our distress to the point of feeling completely overwhelmed. Anxiety is a normal response to a stressor - however, sometimes our bodies think we are more at risk than we actually are. Use the techniques below to calm your body so your mind can remind you: Its not me, its my anxiety they are not the same thing!
Relaxation techniques: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation. These techniques can help to calm your mind and body. Find ways of being present in the moment. Look around and notice the colours, go outside and walk focusing on what is - not what if. Hum a song or dance - this tells your body it is ok to calm down. Even drinking something very cold or warm can cue our bodies to relax. Close your eyes (if safe to do so) and imagine your calm space, a place where you are alone, in control and able to absorb your senses feeling grounded.
Self-care: Make time for self-care activities that help you relax and de-stress. This could include getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Self-care does not have to cost you money. Self-care is using compassion to listen to your needs. Read a book out loud to your baby to get reading time in, listen to music, see a friend. Care for YOUR needs. Please find ways to get sleep.
We Applaud You for Seeking Support
It's important to remember that you're not alone in this. Perinatal anxiety is a common condition, and there is help available. We applaud you for taking the first step towards healing by seeking support.
The After Baby Support Group
Locally you can access a perinatal anxiety support group called "After Baby" for new parents in Barrie, Ontario. This group provides a safe and supportive space for women to connect with others, share their experiences, and learn coping mechanisms for managing perinatal anxiety.
Barrie (virtual) Thursdays 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Contact Riley Gladney-Hatcher (GNPLC) 705-722-1581 *REGISTRATION REQUIRED*
Our New Perinatal Anxiety Support Group Launching Fall 2024
We are excited to announce that we will be launching a new support group in Fall 2024! This group will be open to moms and dads in Barrie, Ontario, who are looking to build health for themselves in this next life chapter.
We will have a virtual evening group and a day time in person group in Barrie - because we know connection and community is a powerful piece of our wellness puzzle. You can get on the early bird waitlist by clicking here.
You Don't Have to Go Through This Alone
If you're struggling with anxiety, you can reach out for help. A therapist can provide you with the support and guidance you need to manage your anxiety and improve your quality of life.
Contact Amber Sperling Social Work and Psychotherapy Services Today
We offer perinatal mental health therapy services in Barrie, Ontario, and virtually across Ontario.
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, scary and hopeless - it does not have to continue.
