Just one of those days: Anxiety, Stress and Panic
Today has been one of those days that I’m reminded just how challenging life really is. Sometimes I think I’m just so acclimated to the stress and chaos that it seems normal.
It takes a day like today for me to realize just how stressed out in really am.
Nothing went right today. From the moment I woke up, everything just went wrong.
Emmett has been in rare form..all day long. It’s like his sole purpose is to destroy everything. He’s literally throwing anything he can get his hands on. He’s bullying Elliott and Gavin both.
….and the screaming, oh God the screaming. I just can’t even begin to tell you…..
Lizze is in week 5 of her migraine and absolutely miserable. She’s not in the best of moods, which is completely understandable but that moods spreads.
Gavin..I don’t even know where to begin. He is struggling, especially with things like listening, remembering, following the rules ect, ect. I’m totally aware of the fact that this is not his fault and so I don’t blame him. With that said, it doesn’t makenit any less irritating,exhausting, frustrating, overwhelming and demoralizing… What it does do however, is make me feel guilty for all those feelings.
The antidepressant is simply not enough to help me manage all of this. My ability to cope diminishing rapidly. I feel sick to my stomach, my chest hurts and my anxiety level is through the roof. I think I’m having a panic attack, although truthfully, it’s been years since I had one of those, so I’m not sure.
I’m so ready to catch a break and find some relief.
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Hi Rob. Like you, I need someone to remind me to *breathe*. Play something you can sing along with, read out loud (if only to yourself), do some simple floor exercises, do something that makes you laugh (bonus points if one or more of your children join you). All of these things make you *breathe*, and that helps lower the tension in your body.
I feel your pain. In addition to having an 11 yo boy and a 12 yo girl with Aspergers, the small company I work for is undergoing *serious* changes (my boss and my work partner have both left recently), and I am in the middle of a divorce. Maxxing out on stress points, too. 🙂
Remember to take time for you, anywhere you can, even for a few minutes to just *breathe*. Three against one is no fun, especially when your partner is down, but it sounds like in the big picture you are able to cope. And forget the guilt-thing. No time or energy for that, and it is counter-productive. Remind yourself of all the GOOD things you are doing, and congratulate yourself for being a great dad.
A note on the screaming (although this may not work for you). When my son was young and would scream and scream and scream, I started lightly patting his mouth to make wa-wa sounds. Sometimes it infuriated him, but other times he would dissolve in laughter. Work with what you’ve got!
And remember to *breathe*.