Crisis My wife has made a habit to call before work to let me know shes safe but when I dont hear from her (didnt get a chance to call etc.) I instantly jump to something happened (car accident or she died) and I panic badly Please please help ASAP
I think that this is pretty normal with anxiety; I know that I definitely experience the same thing often. Itâs how anxiety works. it makes us jump to the worst case scenario and makes us freak out when maybe itâs not rational to freak out and there may be no reason for it.Â
It can be helpful to remind yourself that itâs anxiety; recognize it for what it is. Â Try to remind yourself of the facts and let the anxiety go while still validating it. Validate that you are having anxiety because you havenât heard from your wife, but remind yourself of the reasons she may not have called. It may be helpful to write it out, separating the facts from the anxiety/emotions. Try to do some grounding or mindfulness techniques to calm the anxiety before you act.Â
I think you should talk to your wife about this and maybe come up with a plan. So for instance have a plan that she will try to call you by a certain time and that if you havenât heard from her within that time period, you can call her or text her to help reassure your anxiety. Sometimes having the time frame on it can help so you can remind yourself that you canât start freaking out until you to reassure your anxiety and talk yourself down from the panic. I think that involving your wife and coming up with a plan together would be helpful for you so you arenât alone with it.
Look at the following resources for anxiety and panic related symptoms as they may help you in these moments.
Anxiety- and Panic-Related Symptoms
Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, Â âtool kitsâ, and self help.
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about anxiety disorders and how it effects your life.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
Here is a great explanation of anxiety and some self help tips.
This is a guide to Muscle Relaxation that might help your anxiety. Â
Here is also an article on social anxiety disorder self help tips.
Here is also some information on exploring and coping with panic attacks.
Here is some information and self help tips on how to handle panic attacks.
Here are some exercises you can do that helps to keep you in the present and to control anxietygrounding techniques. Â Mental grounding exercises. Physical grounding exercises. Soothing grounding exercises.
You Feel Like Shit â An Interactive Self Care Guide helps you work through bad episodes and takes you through things that might help you feel better
Here is a online self help book that has some self help tips and information on social skills training.
Here is a self help workbook that you might find helpful panic attacks workbook.
Here is a video with step by step instructions of how to do breathing techniques to help with panic attacks made by a licensed therapist
Beyond Blue â a nonprofit working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia.
Anxiety management techniques
Self-help for Anxiety Management (SAM) [Android] [iOS]
Focus on reminding yourself that this is your anxiety talking, but that you are in control and that anxiety is often irrational so bringing yourself back to the facts and focusing on those is the way to help yourself. It is much easier said than done, but it is possible. It takes time and patience and hard work, but you can get control over it.