Anxiety - need handhold

[anotherglass]

Hello
I'm mum to 2 DS aged 16 and 19. I suffer from anxiety related to separation and am particularly finding this difficult since the tragic events in Nottingham last week. My eldest son is due to go on his first holiday abroad and I am struggling a little with anxiety about this. Anyone free to handhold through today as am having moments of stress.
Thank you

Hi, sending a handhold
Understandable to be worried and if you suffer from anxiety you will no doubt be having some negative automatic thoughts.

Easily said but try to be happy for him that he is going off to have a good time and make memories.
Sounds like you have raised a confident and independent son.

Maybe agree some minimum contact e.g. quick message when he lands and brief message about accommodation.

If you can, try to keep busy while he’s away and maybe meet up with friends or family as a distraction.

Holding your hand and supportong you ⚘

Supporting*

I understand your anxiety. Would he send you a WhatsApp photo of himself in his hotel room? I think visual evidence that they’re ok works better than a text for anxiety. I always told mine, that it isn’t my fault I worry, or theirs. It’s just that my “Mummy Button” was activated at birth and unfortunately didn’t come with an off switch, but does have slight volume control, when I know they’re ok. Consider your hand held

Thank you for your messages and the handholding. It is appreciated. I am taking deep breaths and trying to push through. A lot of the anxiety stems from a cancer diagnosis in my 30s, when the boys were young. The anxiety from that very stressful period still lingers. I will ask him to send some pics while away and book things in to keep busy. I appreciate the handholding x

I'm currently on holiday and my anxiety is ruining the whole thibg, have been waiting 3 years for this holiday and all i want to do is go home because of it.

On medication (40mg) citalopram have been on citalopram for roughly 14 years worked so well before now having to leep up it as struggling, spoken to the doctor before we came and maybe switching to sertraline when i get back.

Just wanted to vent i guess as i don't want to say anything to anyone here and have them worry

Sorry ignore that i thought i was starting my own thread.

nonot that’s a great phrase.
another anxious mum here, hand held!