Overthinking causing panic

[MumSi87]

Hi,
I overthink everything but tonight it's causing panic.
Today my ds was over an hour late home from school. Wasn't answering the phone and tracker (yes we are those parents) was saying he was home (that app now deleted and refund requested). I left work early. That panic I get, all is fine now.

I messaged a manager to say all ok, we are normally mates outside of work and chat regularly but I just got a thumbs up reaction. Now I'm overthinking... Is there going to be action for leaving work? have I lost a mate?

Is there anyone else that's like this, or anyone that has any advice how to stop?

I'm annoying myself and know I won't sleep now because of it

I also get like this. Try and challenge your negative thoughts. ask yourself “where’s the evidence that you’ll be in trouble at work?” “Where’s the proof that you’ve lost a mate?” It will be ok. You’re thoughts are not reality - they are anxiety speculation.
I find guided meditation / anxiety hypnosis videos on YouTube really help calm me down on nights like this , or distraction watching something feel good on Netflix etc

@whoisjoe thank you so much. I left while covering the two busiest areas at work and feeling the pressure. We are all up in the air at home after ds got beat up at the weekend. We haven't been able to relax since (long story short don't speak to parents unless you know them).
I just feel like curling up and crying but trying to be the strong one. Sorry for venting

That’s awful ! Sorry about DS. In that case, your manager would presumably understand the reasons for you needing to leave early if DS wasn’t contactable and late from school, you’re on high alert right now and a lot going on.

There’s a lot of really good guided meditation videos worth a listen- on 20 mins or so. I have general anxiety disorder and one of them sent me to sleep! They help you relax and focus on the moment, stops the racing mind. Hope you find something to calm you down - I can sympathise

also, I know how hard it is to try to do things to come out of panic - but little things like being kind to yourself really help. Have a hot chocolate, hot water bottle (if you’re cold like I always am lol) tuck in and read a few chapters of a book. Try be gentle with yourself and hopefully that helps you relax tonight too 😊

@whoisjoe thank you so much for your support. I am going to take your advice and read with a hot chocolate. I really wish I wasn't like this.

P.s - you’re doing an excellent job as a parent and putting DS safety/well-being first today. I would’ve done the exact same . In fact - pre DD, I once left work early as my cat was missing (batshit mad for that cat I was) 😄I didn’t get into trouble, because I was a good employee- just a bit cat mad and had terrible anxiety lol. Ok going to bed now 😂rambling, sorry! Can’t help offer advice to someone in panic 😁

One technique I use for these situations, is to ask how much good opinion I have as a backdrop. You can also ask this as if it were someone else. How much would this one incident really affect how you viewed a generally good colleague?

honestly op, we’d have all done the same. It’s fine.

Thank you. There's just been so much going off. I only just got over ds going to secondary school, then the weekend happened (my ds hardly even argues/falls out with anyone) then todays scare.

I wish I was a mum who had it all together. Here's to a new day!