Watching a loved one hit rock bottom and finally get professional help they need (which is how it happened for my loved one) can be traumatic and recovery seems to be a life long journey. I’m interested in how and when you identified you struggled with anxiety/depression and how and when you got help? What worked?
How many of us have felt anxiety/depression related to our loved one’s addiction and what’s been helpful for this?
Julie_Smith
#2
I have to say that anxiety and depression can be a normal response to seeing a loved one in a struggle for his or her life, sometimes quite literally. I had short-term counseling with a couple of different people. I worked part of the 12 Steps. I’ve read lots of books, most recently reading and enjoying “First We Make the Beast Beautiful” about anxiety by Sarah Wilson. I’ve had anxiety since childhood and I have to say it’s much better now. Part because I had to release a lot due to my son’s illness - I would have had a nervous breakdown otherwise 
and partly due to spiritual practices including meditation and journaling. It is a long, slow process - just like recovery!
Gina_Wood
#3
Anxiety, depression, a feeling of being emotionally tortured. No escape. Watching the cancer called addiction Rob my son of EVERYTHING. I have to keep busy doing things for other people. I have to rely on Faith.
Ginny
#4
Once I was able to see how the stress of it all was impacting my marriage of (I’ve been with my husband for 43 years I became to feel down and anxious thought, “Is this going to be the rest of my life?” My son had gone to college, but the fighting between me and my husband stayed and continued even though he was gone - even escalated to divorce threats and I had quite a few breakdowns. It was hard for me to admit I needed help with my mood, so I can’t imagine how hard it has been for my son to get help, but once I was connected with the right therapist I got a better understanding of family dynamics, explored my own issues, and was able to see that I could work on how I respond to conflict/fears/financial worries in a productive way that didn’t make me lose my mind! It’s hard, and I still struggle from time to time, but I try every day to bring my mind to the present moment and focus on what I can control!