How to manage your own anxiety (when parenting teens)

[Birdsonginthetrees]

I don't want to go into details but I've had a bit of a wake up call these last few days. My just 16 DS had previously been a 'perfect' teen, studious, not into partying. But I've just discovered there's other stuff going on in his life that gives us cause for concern.

I now feel that overnight I've gone from not at all worried, living a nice relaxed life, to incredibly anxious.

I was awake most of Thursday night, my anxiety has given me an upset stomach since then, and now I seem to be destroying myself with catastrophising what if thoughts. Worrying about what he's doing now, but also worrying about what will or could happen in the future, next year, the year after, through the uni years. And worrying about his younger brother (who is already more difficult) and what we will go through with him.

It's like someone's switched on the worry and anxiety switch and I don't know how to cope with it. I can't stay in this heightened state of anxiety for years I know it'll be bad for my health.

Anyone got any tips to overcome or manage this anxiety?

Yep me - currently on Prozac due to stress and anxiety. I am not ashamed to admit I need help. You are not alone

So how does one cope without drugs?
Every day I have that fear feeling. Worrying about how DS will be today. Trying to stay calm. I haven't been relaxed in months.

@mumof2teen has the prozac helped? X

@Marilynmansonsthermos yes it has helped. Took a little while but it’s helped. Don’t get me wrong I still get stressed but not as bad a before.

Thanks I think I'm going to give it a go. I get far too emotional when we argue!

OMG I've found my people. I'm sitting here in tears worrying about DD15 who, what seems like overnight, has had a total personality change. She's being furtive and I'm not entirely happy about the crowd she's hanging out with. She's always been a bit of a misfit but studied hard and does well at school. But I can't even breathe the right way. She's going for a sleepover at a friends tonight - I don't know friend at all and now she's telling me she's getting the bus rather than me giving her a lift. I know I should draw a line and say it's a lift or you're not going but I can't face the fallout at this. Am hugely menopausal and have been nursing a migraine for the last three days which has made me weep with the pain. I honestly feel like chucking the towel in.

Sorry to hear it Jaggypinecone, hope she's back safely by now.

@jaggypinecone I get the not wanting the fallout but some things Ill take it for. It would be lift or not going here, and would be accepted if grumpy. Hope all ok.

I don't want drugs, so just managing day by day here.