New mom social anxiety

I have a beautiful new baby girl, 1 month old, and I feel generally calm and collected at home with her. Motherhood does not stress me out like I thought it would, or make me feel anxious. However, there has been 2 times since having her where I have been with a large group of people (all family) and the anxiety is overwhelming-I fidget, can't sit still, my mind races, I just want to get out of there! When I am with just a few people, I do not feel this way, but the noise and movement of more than just a few sends me into panic mode. I'm close to my family and they are great people, I trust them with the baby completely. I just can't seem to handle the crowds. Is this normal after having a baby (I've never had social anxiety before)? What can I do to stop feeling like this?

My original diagnosis was post partum anxiety/panic disorder. Now that my youngest is turning four soon I don't really call it post partum anymore. I still have problems with big family gatherings and my family is so awesome. Unfortunately for me I really didn't internalize the anxiety diagnosis and spent years thinking that it really must be cancer or the MD missed something.

It is wonderful that you are checking out resources right away. Please know that it is absolutely normal. Hang in there! Sometimes when I find myself dreading something I try to turn it around and picture myself at the event being happy and carefree.

A lot of the members here seem to have really good coping methods and recommendations. Dig around in the posts a bit and see what people are saying. Just watch out for the baby blues. Sometimes they come hand in hand with post partum anxiety. Your OB/GYN will definitely be able to help you if you feel like you can't get the anxiety under control or if it gets worse.

Best of luck to you!

Jen