'Mum burnout is common - we are carrying so much'

A content creator has said she wants to help tackle the stigma of "mummy overwhelm" after she had a panic attack so debilitating that an ambulance was called.

Mum-of-two Daisy Woods, 37, from Bristol, runs @MuddleThroughMummy which has more than 450,000 followers. She said she had a panic attack in May which made her feel like she was "having a heart attack".

The medical treatment she received in hospital revealed that she was also severely iron deficient.

"For mum's burnout is so common - we're carrying so much," she said. "[There is] the pressure of motherhood, life, kids and this societal pressure as well."

Woods said the panic attack made her feel like "someone had their foot on my chest".

She said she lost feeling in her arms and legs before an ambulance was called.

"I've put pressure on myself but also society tells us as mums that we are supposed to be able to go to work, raise the kids and keep your home in a decent state," she said.

"There are all these plates that you're spinning.

"I think my body physically was like 'you have to stop, something has got to change' because this is too much."

Woods said mum burnout was "rampant" and mothers often put medical problems down to lack of sleep and the intensity of motherhood.

She said doing so could lead to important issues being missed.

Woods said she wanted to share her experience of overwhelm to combat any loneliness other mothers might be feeling.

"If you're finding yourself having this mum rage where you're having outbursts at the smallest of triggers, or just feelings of dread, you need to really check in with yourself," she said.

MP for Bristol Central Carla Denya has recently spoken out about having a break from work due to burnout.

Denyer said she made the "difficult" decision to take time off after advice from her doctor.

"Burnout is a condition that does not get better on its own," she said at the time.

The CEO of Panda's Foundation, a charity which offers help to parents, said more mothers were coming forward as stigma around perinatal mental health reduced.

"They often describe experiences of overwhelming exhaustion, chronic sleep deprivation, feeling unsupported and carrying the relentless demands of the 'mental load' or 'mother load', said Annie Belasco.

"Without adequate support and early intervention, these pressures can build up."

Sally Bunkham, chief communications officer at the charity, said: "In this day and age, 'the village' is non-existent for many.

"So many women come to us feeling rage, resentment and they feel so guilty when in reality what they are feeling is completely normal.

"If you are having a bad day or feeling overwhelmed, get in touch."

The foundation is free to use and offers a range of support services including a buddy system, a Whatsapp service, a call back as well as 35 in-person support groups across the country.

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