Anxiety over the health of others

[Mumworrier]

Hello,

i have been struggling this last few months with anxiety. It seems to be directed in particular to my children and especially my 10 year old son. He is a wonderful, happy, healthy boy but he has a peanut allergy and I feel I am getting more and more paranoid about it. It isn’t just the allergy though I will avoid taking them into large crowds or always be checking they have washed their hands etc. because I am nervous about them getting sick. Just tonight he had a little cough before he got out of the pool and although I know it’s far fetched and unlikely I started googling ‘dry or secondary drowning’ and now I am in his room listening to him sleep. Sounds terrible as I even write that. It’s exhausting.

[geoff]

hello Mumworrier, what you are experiencing are OCD traits which has been quite a common topic lately, so I wonder if you have been told what this illness entails.

Well you know from experience but has a doctor or even a psychologist explained to you why these constant thoughts keep happening and I say this because I've had it for 58 years, and every year one trait may disappear while another one takes its place.

I am sorry for these thoughts that keep plaguing you, and yes people go straight to Dr. Google and I am guilty of doing this, but it would be better explained to you by your doctor, who may decide to prescribe you with some medication, which is aimed for treating anxiety and OCD.

These constant fears you are having could be 'intrusive thoughts' and actually this is my third reply this morning on OCD.

It's certainly a worry you fear might happen but it's more that this illness is causing it, so please book an appointment to see your doctor, and don't be afraid to explain what you are thinking and worrying about. Geoff.

[Bethie]

Hi and welcome

As a mum with a child who suffers anxiety and depression i can understand why you worry. I know there is treatments now to help with allergies if you ask your GP. It is normal to worry and be scared for our children. As parents we want the best for them and right now it sounds like one of those things might be getting a bit of help yourself. I don't mean to sound nasty so please don't take it that way.

I know after my son broke his collar bone i wanted to put his bike under the car and run it over. Took a good month before i could even look at it. Part of being a mum is letting go just a small bit with love.