Is this anxiety?

[worrybonce]

I've name changed for this as I'm easily ID'd in RL under my usual name.

My father died suddenly when I was a teenager and, for a while afterwards, my mum was in a very bad place where I feared for her safety. Everytime she went out I worried that she wouldn't come back. When I met DH I transferred all this worry on to him. If he was at all late I'd be convinced that he was dead and end up raging at him the minute he stepped through the door.

After a concerted effort to keep those thoughts at bay, I finally calmed down and started to relax when he went out but now I can feel those thoughts coming back but relating to the children. If they go anywhere with grandparents I worry there'll be an accident and if they stay over I fret about carbon monoxide poisoning.

I've started crying over stupid little things (yesterday I had to call the bank and was put through to the wrong number which made me cry!) I've started a new job at a call centre and probably one call in 100 will be someone shouty and that sees me in a side room sobbing. Then I'm worried for the next 10 calls that it's going to happen again.

What can I do to get a grip on this worrying?

Yes the bit about worrying for their safety is anxiety - and boy I have done it too. it has mostly gone now I've had thorough therapy for the root causes. In fact this summer dh was away for a week on retreat in a remote area where he called me once a day mid-walk from the top of the hill where he had reception. And I got about my business without fretting whether he had made it back to the retreat centre. I used to have to know he was in safely for the night. And I can let 3 yo ds go to school in the taxi without worrying unduly.

I think you're a bit overwrought and then things become self perpetuating. Like when you have a panic attack it tends not to be the trigger you worry about but the actual panic attack...it seems the same with you and phone calls at the moment.

Would suggest some counselling.

Thanks madmouse. I'll go and see the Dr and see if they can help.