how to help my husband with anxiety

[user1474388398]

Hi
I am a bit desperate and do not know what to do or say.

My DH suffers from what I think is anxiety. He has just started a new job, which we had hoped would reduce his stress levels, but it seems to have had the opposite effect. The woman he replaced gave a really terrible handover and now he is like a rabbit in the headlights. There is no one else at the new job who can really help (small company).

I know that some of it is 'real' (for want of a better word) but some of it is because he is so anxious. I think that, if he could get over the initial jump this job could be better in the long run, but at the moment he can't sleep and can't say anything positive or see any practical way forward.

I am a very different person and always face things head on, make a plan and keep working until it is sorted. I don't think this sort of plan helps him though so I am at a loss as to what to do.

I am also, as a result taking everything else on myself, which is making me stressed too.

We can't afford for him to just stop (and he says he doesn't want to), but I don't know how to help.
Any advice gratefully received.

[AnxiousCarer]

Hi,

I'm also struggling with anxiety at the moment, which is a new one on me. My CPN has encouraged me to continue with regular exercise and to use an app called headspace for meditation. There are some medications which can help with anxiety too so your DH may benefit from discussing it with his GP too, they may be able to help him access cbt too.

As for yourself make sure you are making time to look after yourself too. Remember you can't support him if you go under. Make time to dosomething for you.

[chimpontheedge]

Thank you for replying. I have sent him out for some exercise tonight to try to get physically tired so hopefully he will sleep (toddler permitting)!