Hi everyone I've got a question for everyone that's dealing with anxiety. How can I get support from my husband who doesn't seem to understand this disorder. I'm finally beginning to understand it and I'm so excited to tell him and share with him my progress. But he tends to get short with me and I end up feeling like I'm not getting anywhere. So we both get frustrated. Any advice out there?

Hi NatKat, I think we all go through this initially with our spouses or family because they don't fully understand what we are going through and just expect us to just snap out of it. What I would suggest is going on the internet and printing out whatever information you can for your spouse to read so that way he can absorb the information instead of you trying to explain and then avoiding all the frustration, that's what worked for me. Take Care Karen

hi natcat,

Do you have the AA&D program....if so there is "Partner's Guidelines" in chapter two. This is for any family member of friend to learn and understand how to encourage you and to learn a little more about what you are going through. There is also a great tape.."We'll be there for you" that comes with the program and it is also for your loved ones to listen to, to help them understand. Lucinda and her husband are on there, and her husband has some great tips and experiences to share about how he went through Lucinda's anxiety and depression with her.

Before I got the program it was hard for my husband as well. When I first started having anxiety neither of us understood what it was and it was really frustrating on both parts. Then I began to research it and KNOW it. He would look at some of the materials I found on it....but I guess he still really didn't fully understand. So I kept alot of my anxiety and feelings from him. When I got to the point where I felt it was destroying my life and our lifes together...I finally started opening up to him and just being brutally honest with him. That helped us tremendously.
Now that we have the program, he has listened to the tapes with me and become more involved and has discovered ( or admitted to himself) that he has a certain degree of anxiety and depression as well.

I am so happy for you and the progress you are making Just remember that YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON AND DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS THAT COMES YOUR WAY. And if you need encouragement or a pat on the back or just someone to talk to that understands what you are going through...come to the forum...there are REALLY GREAT people here to encourage and be there for all your victories!!!!!!

Wishing you well,
Marcia

Thank you so much! I'll try those out.

I understand this part. I come from a family life where I was the strong one and everyone expects me to have all the answers. I struggle with telling everyone. I have found it even difficult to cry in front of people. This area has been difficult for me to get the support from the people I care about most.

Nat cat
I know this is very difficult for you I can also relate. Have faith and just know that he will come around. Sometimes I think that it is difficult for people when they just don't know what to do to help. Even when it is sitting right there in front of them. Maybe in some ways they just feel so badly that in their frustrations they react differently then we would hope. Seeing others hurt is a hard thing and especially when we have always been the stong ones that they could always count on. It will get better I just know it. I wish you the very best of luck~Begone

nat cat,
we must also realize we are doing this for ourselves and our own happiness. Actions speak louder than words and when you start changing your actions your husband will notice. It is good if you can talk to your husband or anyone about it. Its freeing. He'll come around. My fiance did. She's even starting to do a journal herself. Do it for you.