Mom with increase anxiety

[ecraig27]

Hi! My name is Esther and my anxiety is getting to me. Every day I find it harder to focus, find myself overwhelmed by everything and have no outlet. So here I am.

I’m married with two kids, 17 year old we just adopted and 8 month old baby. I’m working from home...well attempting to do my best. Only interaction is with my father in law.

I feel like I’m trying to do everything around here. Cooking, cleaning, making sure baby is taken care of, making sure teen is getting school work done. It feels like a fight to get help from son or husband. Husband suffers from chronic pain and back issues and is constantly exhausted and wants to sleep (yes he has a history of depression). I get angry when he want to rest and things are then not getting done. I can’t do this by myself. Plus I miss talking and seeing people and I miss my family so so much. I feel so alone most days.

I fear visiting with people that we could get sick, I fear my baby could get sick, I fear i’m going to loose my mind any moment, I’m sad my baby isn’t getting to interact with other babies, I want to zone out and not answer to anyone but that unrealistic with a baby, I can’t get out of this funk and black hole of fears.

[blackcat64013]

👋 Hi and welcome to your forum. Thanks for the post. 👍 Covid-19 affects people and their mental health at this time. When we are struggling, we often don't seek the help required, instead thinking it's yourself who is to blame or we are failing. 🥺 There are government phone help lines and websites set up to help us. Other local non government organizations have similar set ups. Your doctor needs to know how your feelings have changed and may recommend some therapy over the phone/internet.

I am in Australia so don't know the numbers and websites elsewhere.

Aside from this, you could sit the family down (hubby & teenager) and together make a plan for the week. We do this on Sunday night. Everyone has jobs they can do relevant to age, ability and commitments etc. By putting them on a schedule where everyone can see them, people are accountable. You can start by listing everything that needs to be done and see who will volunteer to do what. Leftover jobs are divided. Two things are not negotiable - me time and exercise. It is important for each person to schedule time for themselves - we colour code this time in green for everyone. Exercise of any kind to boost mood is red. Even your hubby can do chair yoga!

We have done this for 8 weeks now. I won't say it was easy getting buy in from everyone but it can be done with gentle persuasion. Call a family meeting. If you don't ask, you don't get.

Of course, we are are too 🐨

[ecraig27 in reply to blackcat64013]

Thanks Blackcat. I have found information for help lines and therapy, I’m working on getting a therapist and scheduling regular sessions.

Good idea for family meeting. I’ll see how it goes. I have little hope as my husband tells me on a regular basis he hats schedules. Trying to get one in place for our 8 month old has been a struggle and he’s always like does he need to nap now or is he hungry.

[pink318]

Hi- I have a teenager and every Saturday he would ask us to go to the park and just sit there. We love it and it’s relaxing to see the greenery. During the first few days of lock down, I was scared and anxious but I thank God that I was able to adjust into a new normal.

I hope you can also find activities that will work for your family. I pray that this pandemic will soon end and all of us will stay strong. Stay safe. God bless.