Wastinglight
Platinum Member
My GAD symptoms have been very difficult to manage this past week. I've been spending a lot more time with my guy recently, and I've had a couple of anxiety attacks in front of him. We've talked about it and he's been very supportive, kind and caring. He knows I'm trying my hardest not to let my anxiety impact on him. On top of that, we hit our 6 month anniversary last week, and said the L word to each other for the first time. I imagine those two things alone might be enough to overflow his cup.
Things seemed to be going fine today, until we got home from an outing, and he said he had a headache and suddenly felt sick in his stomach. He went and had a lie-down. I was asked him if I should just go, and he replied I should go whenever I'm ready. After 10 minutes he showed no sign of getting up, so I said I was going. He gave me a really long hug (which is rare for him), which felt very genuine and loving, and said he'd talk to me later. Haven't heard from him since, which is not unusual. But I know that an upset stomach is a common complaint when his symptoms are playing up and I can't shake the feeling that my anxiety has triggered him. I won't contact him tonight and hopefully he'll come through it after a good night's sleep.
Anyway, I'm going back to the doctor this week to try and sort out some meds that will help control my anxiety attacks while I continue with my CBT. My previous T told me that I should also explore the possibility of getting EMDR treatment, as my anxiety appears to be triggered by somatic memories, in a manner somewhat similar to PTSD. I'm not clear on what is involved in this type of therapy. I'm worried I will get worse before I get better. If that's likely, then perhaps it's better to wait until my partner is in a better place with his symptoms, so as to minimise the impact on our relationship.
Can anyone comment on what EMDR involves and whether it can make your symptoms worse while you're progressing through it?
Things seemed to be going fine today, until we got home from an outing, and he said he had a headache and suddenly felt sick in his stomach. He went and had a lie-down. I was asked him if I should just go, and he replied I should go whenever I'm ready. After 10 minutes he showed no sign of getting up, so I said I was going. He gave me a really long hug (which is rare for him), which felt very genuine and loving, and said he'd talk to me later. Haven't heard from him since, which is not unusual. But I know that an upset stomach is a common complaint when his symptoms are playing up and I can't shake the feeling that my anxiety has triggered him. I won't contact him tonight and hopefully he'll come through it after a good night's sleep.
Anyway, I'm going back to the doctor this week to try and sort out some meds that will help control my anxiety attacks while I continue with my CBT. My previous T told me that I should also explore the possibility of getting EMDR treatment, as my anxiety appears to be triggered by somatic memories, in a manner somewhat similar to PTSD. I'm not clear on what is involved in this type of therapy. I'm worried I will get worse before I get better. If that's likely, then perhaps it's better to wait until my partner is in a better place with his symptoms, so as to minimise the impact on our relationship.
Can anyone comment on what EMDR involves and whether it can make your symptoms worse while you're progressing through it?
