Anxiety disorder during pregnancy: symptoms, causes, and treatment methods

Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive periods in a woman's life, marked by significant physiological and hormonal changes that can directly impact her mental state. While feelings of stress and fear are natural reactions to these new life changes, the development of these feelings into an anxiety disorder requires serious attention and medical care, given its profound impact on the mother's health and the well-being of the fetus.

General context: Anxiety as a health and historical condition

Historically, medical care has primarily focused on the physical health of pregnant women. However, recent studies and guidelines from global health organizations emphasize that mental health is equally important. Anxiety disorders are defined as mental health conditions that go beyond mere temporary fear; anxiety becomes an obstacle to functioning normally in daily life. According to Ministry of Health data, these conditions can be severe or persistent and are among the most common mental health problems. Statistics indicate that approximately one in five adults suffers from an anxiety disorder, and pregnant or postpartum women constitute a significant proportion of this group.

Common types of anxiety and their effects

Anxiety does not appear in just one form, but takes many forms that may surprise a woman during her motherhood journey:

• Generalized anxiety disorder: This is characterized by a constant feeling of worry and negative anticipation of life's events, and is often accompanied by insomnia, digestive disorders, and persistent headaches.
• Panic disorder: These are sudden episodes of intense, short-term terror, the physical symptoms of which include rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, nausea, and chest pain.
• Social phobia: This is an excessive fear of social situations and avoidance of mixing with others, which may increase the isolation of the new mother.

When does the danger begin? Timing and reasons

Anxiety symptoms may first appear during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and worries about childbirth and the baby's health. They are also common immediately after delivery and up to six weeks postpartum, and the risk can persist for up to a year. Weaning and the return of menstruation are critical periods that may trigger a recurrence of symptoms.

Risk factors and warning signs

The severity of symptoms varies depending on several risk factors, most notably a personal or family history of anxiety, previous trauma or pregnancy loss, and health problems during pregnancy. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Psychological symptoms: persistent anxiety, constant tension, and unjustified fear for extended periods.
• Physical symptoms: difficulty sleeping, dizziness, stomach or chest pain, and rapid heartbeat.
• Behavioral changes: a tendency towards isolation, avoidance of leaving the house, and constant monitoring of imaginary sources of danger.

The importance of the treatment and its expected effect

Addressing anxiety disorders is not a luxury, but a necessity to ensure family stability and the child's healthy development. Effective treatment typically relies on psychotherapy or talk therapy, which aims to:

• Identify negative thinking patterns and replace them with positive ones.
• Improving the quality of daily life and reducing bothersome physical symptoms.
• Strengthening family bonds by involving the spouse and family in the psychological support plan.

Experts also recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes light exercise, a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and practicing deep breathing exercises to reduce stress levels, which positively impacts the mother's health and her child's development.