Suggest treatment for panic attacks
Patient: Im 37 weeks pregnant, and I have had really bad panick attacks at night since about 20 weeks.  They used to only be at night, and now they are during the day as well.  How can I cope with this? I feel as if im going to have a break down and cry, I dont sleep at night, and have a two year old to get up with first thing in the morning. Im exhausted, on the verge of going crazy and Want this pregnancy to be over?! Can I be induced or can I do anything to get this baby out now!!!?  I had this with my first pregnancy and it was alot easier to deal with then because I didnt have a two year old to deal with the next day. HELP! Doctor: Hello, and I hope I can help you today.Panic disorder is a well documented psychiatric condition the can become worse in pregnancy because of the hormonal changes.If you are having problems coping now, pregnant and caring for your other child, I do not think that having a newborn at home will help your sleeping situation or the stress of your life.I strongly suggest that you discuss your situation with your OB prenatal care provider. There are medications you can take when you have a panic attack that can be used safely during pregnancy.Certainly, induction before 39 weeks of pregnancy is not recommended unless there are serious medical complications for either the baby or the mother. Furthermore, being induced early increases your risk of cesarean section, and recovering at home after cesarean section and caring for two children is certainly more difficult than after a vaginal delivery.So in summary, I strongly suggest you discuss your problems with your prenatal care provider. He or she may be able to give you medication that you can take when you have a panic attack, are also something to help you sleep, that are safe to use during the pregnancy and will help you get some more sleep and therefore feel better during the day.I hope that I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful.Best wishes for the rest of the pregnancy,Dr. Brown