Anxiety When Someone You Care About Is Sick

Recently, I received news that someone I am close to is very sick. I think one of the most difficult anxiety triggers that I may be confronted with is when someone I care about is ill.

But of course, this is a major life situation in which feeling stressed and anxious is certainly permitted. When you struggle with anxiety, and you've been able to cope for a while successfully, and then life throws something unexpected at you, all of the anxious feelings can overtake you like a tidal wave.

I've learned that this is one of the reasons it's so important to build resilience. As my nervous system seems to want me to feel overwhelmed, each time I begin feeling the familiar feelings of a panic attack, it's necessary for me to be able to fight off those feelings.

I've also learned that this is one of the reasons it is necessary to have tools to cope in the moment when confronted with a stressful situation. We can't control what life throws our way, like when someone is sick, but we can try to be prepared.

How I Deal with Anxiety When Someone Is Sick

So, now I'm confronted with a situation where someone I care about is sick. I haven't had to deal with this type of situation since my dad passed away four years ago. The anxiety is there every single day, ready to become overwhelming.

Practicing mindfulness helps. Staying focused on what I am experiencing in the moment and without judgment is helpful. Mindfulness meditation, in particular, is helpful for staying calm and staving off panic attacks when someone is sick.

It's also helpful to talk to someone I trust and who is supportive. I'm blessed to have a strong support system that I can lean on. It's taken me many years to be willing to lean on my support system and not try to deal with all of my stress on my own. But I've recognized the importance of this throughout the years.

Lastly, being confronted with a significant life event that you don't have control over, like when someone is ill, warrants coping strategies that allow you to cope with negative emotions in the short term. For example, it is in these situations that I will use distraction to help redirect my attention. I have been immersing myself in work, which has been beneficial.

Additionally, I've engaged in exercise almost on a daily basis. Physical activity has always been a helpful outlet for me when stressed.

Below, I share a video on coping when someone you care about is sick. Are there coping strategies you use? If so, please share them in the comments below.