General Today was rough

[StarS1]

Today my husband had a rough day, he was pretty emotional. Most of it was anxiety related. Most of it was that he was feeling bad about how he didn't go to a support group that he wanted to check out. (he went to one yesterday, and came back feeling very positive, and he's in therapy) He told me that he felt like he failed himself, and the people that love him because he didn't go today, that he wasn't doing everything that he could to get better. I helped him through it in the best way I could. He even told me that I was lots of help to him today, and thanked me for staying by his side. He's in a much better place now then where he was earlier in the day, which is great! But it's left me drained, depressed and in somewhat of a "fog", I'm having trouble pulling myself out of this mood. This happens almost every time he has a rough day like this.

 

[Never_falter2]

Why was it exactly that you reeled drained? Is it because you empathize with him or is it because you think he is whining too much?

If you empathize with him could you try to focus on how much you helped him and that he feels much better now?

 

[One step at a time]

People in caring professions refer to it as compassion fatigue - you give so much of yourself, and that drains you.

What forms of self-care do you practice? What helps you feel restored? Where can you get emotional support?

 

[StarS1]

Never_falter: I wouldn't call it whining, he had an anxiety attack that lasted a long time. I find it draining because I try and push my emotions aside to help him. When it's over I feel very driained, and everything that I pushed aside canes back quickly. I do try and empathize with him, it can just get difficult when it's all over.

One step at a time: I get most of my emotional support from my family (mostly my husbands parents). Most of the time I recharge by playing video games or going out with some friends. I have been thinking of trying to find a weekly yoga class to attend, to see if that helps. (which can get hard since I am an EMT and my schedule changes often)