anxiety about child’s Health after trauma

[Jeremy_M]

Hi guys,

does anybody struggle with anxiety about their baby/toddler’s health?

i seem to get myself into a mad fuss and spiral anytime he is surrounded by people or go to a Park etc, I think he’s going to pick up some sort of rare disease that takes his life and I will have to say goodbye to him while he looks at me

this has happened ever since my partner had complications after birth and I was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety

initially it was anxiety about my partners health after she recovered and now it has morphed into a constant worry and fear about my sons health

It gets so bad, I get so worked up that I can’t cope and I begin to freak out

I struggle to enjoy my life with him during this time, considering he’s been the pinnacle of health ever since he was born

Any one else have any advice?

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

My advice is somewhat limited however, I had two daughters now 27 and 31yo.

I was a nervous dad, seeing as that period was also at my peak of anxiety over a workplace incident. In the end my then wife and baby went to the Dr and he said- "I've never seen a baby die from crying".

That made me think a lot about my obsession about her health.

All these sorts of over reactions and worry has serious ramifications as you now know, so what can we do about it?

Well my then therapist had a question everytime I had these bouts of worry..."are you thinking realistically"?

It's a good question, so I began to review all my thoughts as soon as they came to my mind.

EG I was gardening and off work over my work related stress. I imagined my boss visiting me or seeing me gardening. I immediately thought about that and found it was unrealistic because- my injury was work related stress not say...a back injury. Discount thoughts. And so on.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/worry-worry-worry

Repost anytime

TonyWK

[Jeremy_M]

Thankyou for the reply

I really do try to remove the thoughts that are just muddy and unrealistic, but I still have moments where I think - Is this it? Is this the time he dies? And my stomach drops and I feel so sick to my stomach
to be frank I think it’s the lack of control and help I will have in a situation Like this and I won’t be able to save him

i have re-booked to see my counsellor who diagnosed me with PTSD, but there is a lengthy wait

Thankyou for the advice - really appreciate it

[white knight]

No worries

Please remember, a healthy baby if looked after normally is as prone to death as any other human being.

The risk here is that your anxiety can pass onto your child. It's good you are returning to your counselor.

TonyWK