I'm finding it hard to continue hiding my anxiety from my son. I am a single parent and I have recently changed my job and don't work weekends which sounds good. However, its becoming harder to hide my anxiety from my son as i can't do much or go far because of my anxiety. He's nearly eight and wants to be having fun. How do other people deal with this? He was crying at the weekend because of this. It didnt help as i had an ocular migraine on Saturday too. x
Unfortunately its not possible to hide these things long term, be as honest as you can be with everyone , get treatment and keep everyone informed. It makes a lot of difference to not hide it
I know exactly how you feel. My anxiety had a sudden comeback after 4 years. I have four children and am having to learn how to cope all over again, but it is affecting them as panic randomly sets in. It really is a mind game, but is not as easy to take charge of and control. You can, however,earn to cobtrol it and sometimes beat it. You won't comety get rid of it, as it will be dormant for a while before it hits again. First, once any symptom sets in and slight panic arouses take deep, long breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Don't think about what or how you feel...tell yourse it is just anxiety and and you're going to control it. Anxiety does not control you. No matter how you feel, before you talk to your child, take a deep breath and say "mommy needs a quick rest before we leave, with some quiet time. Can you help mommy rest so we can go to (whatever your plans may be)". The deep breathing helps. Also relaxing spa, nature, or spiritual music is always helpful if you listen to those sounds rather than your worried thought or thinking about how you are feing at that moment. This has truly helped me I bathe past. I am currently doing the same trying to take charge again. Sometimes, though, we do need professional help whether it be therapy or medication. It has helped me before as well if my stress level is too high to control. Then I just wean off the medication. It is all what you want and how much you are willing to do. We are stronger and as long as we believe it things will get better. You Will never be the same...you will feel different and sometimes derealization sets I. And it's as if you know you are there yet somehow you're not. It's like you are In a dream, but you are conscious. No worries though, I see it as a gift. When that happens to me, I continue what I'm doing while thinking about something completely different in this dream-like state. It takes me away, similar to reading a book, but I'm fully conscious and aware of my surroundings and what I'm doing and I get to daydream almost about whatever I want. I learned to use my anxiety to my advantage. It takes time just don't give up. It also helps to talk about it. The hard part is finding someone who understands and who is willing to listen and be there 😕 good luck and let me know if you need more help, advice or just a pair of ears.
Last Summer I had a period of anxiety to an absurd degree. I did what you have just done. I took my anxiety to a forum discussion. In a week my new friends had me picked up, dusted down and set once more on my feet.
Even if your son had not noticed something wrong with his mum it seems better to deal with the problem that adress the side effects. I hope you will find new friends here who will help you up to being once more your little boy's capable and cheerful mum.
You mention ocular migraine. I hope you have eductaed your son about this. An able helper is so important when migraine strikes. Children usually take such things in their stride.