Question:
I suffer from panic attacks. Now, it's bad enough to have to deal with these things but
what do I do when my kids ask me what is wrong? I've tried the "I'm not feeling well route" but that doesn't seem to be cutting it anymore.
Any ideas, suggestions?
Answer:
I have the same things that I've always called anxiety attacks. My 6
y.o. daughter has seen me go through this and I've just told her that
sometimes too many things are going on and it overwhelms me. I tell
her mommy needs a time-out to cool off and we sit down and do
something very quiet. During the times when there is no way to have
absolute quiet, I excuse myself and say I need alone-time. I think
everyone should be allowed to have some alone-time and I've taught
this to her, so she doesn't question when I want to be alone. Of
course, I'm talking about 10-15 min. breaks, not hours of being locked
away. So far she seems to take all this in well.
This is difficult. Do you have a doctor who is treating you? Is
anything helping relieve the attacks? If so, you could tell your
children that sometimes you don't feel so well but that it's nothing
they can catch and that your doctor is trying to help you feel better.
Explaining things a little to them will help eleviate their fear that
you are dying or that it is something they did wrong to make you feel
that way.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
