Debbie Downer Alert: As you can imagine, parenting with anxiety can be a challenge. It flares up in debilitating ways and at inconvenient times, and has caused countless hours of stress and frustration for me and my partner. However, there is a bright side: My current method of treatment is going awesomely (you guys, talk to your doctors, seriously). However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t still find myself struggling in ways that other parents may not typically struggle. I’ve seen the way my spouse’s eyes go blank as he tries to come up with something soothing to say when I’m attempting to explain an imaginary concern, or how he takes a breath to manage his disappointment when my mood sours over something microscopic.
In some ways, having a baby has actually helped the issue. Becoming a mom motivated me to kick my treatment efforts into high gear, and I finally found something that works. That said, there are still many challenges of parenthood that feel insurmountable at times, and anxiety often magnifies the issue. If this rings true for anyone, or if it perhaps sounds like your partner, or even feels just a little close to home, seriously, talk to your doctor or a trusted professional.