Non-Drug Treatments for Anxiety After Pregnancy Loss
November 9, 2008 by rainier
Anxiety disorders are common in women who have had a miscarriage. Medication can be effective against anxiety, but many women prefer to avoid drugs when trying for a new pregnancy. The good news is that plenty of non-drug treatments can alleviate anxiety. Some non-drug anxiety treatments can be as effective as medication for some people.
Whether or not to use anxiety medication is a personal choice between a woman and her doctor, and in some cases, the benefits of medication can outweigh the risks. But for women with non-debilitating anxiety, here are some ideas for how to cope with anxiety:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a well-researched and structured therapeutic approach in which a psychologist works with a person to develop strategies to cope with anxiety. These strategies might include monitoring one’s thoughts, restructuring one’s interpretations of those thoughts, and testing the accuracy of one’s beliefs.
Meditation
Research shows that meditation can be effective for coping with stress. And even though it might sound complicated at first, meditation is really pretty simple — simple enough that you could get started on it today.
Crisis Counseling
Getting counseling to help yourself cope with a difficult situation (like a miscarriage) need not be a lengthy endeavor. Crisis counseling with a trained therapist can help you learn effective coping strategies in a matter of weeks.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of those treatments that might sound iffy to someone who isn’t already using alternative medicine tactics, but research is showing that acupuncture can be effective at alleviating stress and anxiety. Some evidence suggests that acupuncture may even boost your odds of conception.
Support Groups
It can help to have the chance to talk to others who are going through the same thing as you are. If the idea sounds appealing, consider finding an in-person support group in your area or joining an online discussion group to network with others.
Keep a Journal
Simply writing down your thoughts can be a powerful act, perhaps due to the catharsis of not keeping the feelings bottled up inside. Journaling might be an effective technique for individuals who are very introverted and uncomfortable sharing feelings in the setting of a support group.
Find a Supportive Doctor
Believe it or not, simply having a caring and supportive doctor with whom you feel comfortable may mean a lower risk of miscarriage. You will be much more comfortable going into your next pregnancy if you feel confident with your physician.
Yoga
Many people find that practicing yoga is an effective way to combat various forms of stress, and there’s research to back it up.
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