extreme anxiety while home with kids all day

[Anonymous]

I have nearly 5 and 3 year old boys. They are extremely active and high energy so being home 24/7 has been difficult despite having a backyard (no swing set but we do have a trampoline) and taking daily walks around the neighborhood. DH is an essential employee so he is still reporting to the office every day. And his job is hanging by a thread. The days have been extremely long and I am just at the end of my rope by the afternoon and just feel like the meanest mommy by then. I think I should return to my Zoloft rx to get my anxiety under control but then I’m worried if I get sick I won’t be able to take cough medicine as there’s an interaction from what I understand. Is that hangup just anxiety in itself? I feel terrible. My kids are angels. My husband is a saint. I don’t deserve any of them. How are you fellow parents (especially those alone with the kids) coping with this?

[Anonymous]

Ohhhh please be gentle with yourself! It’s HARD to be around kids that age all the time when you’re stuck at home! And this world is crazy right now. My only thought is to get up early to read a book or meditate or whatever you can do you can feel more calm. I know I desperately need that alone time so I can be more present and less anxious.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t worry that you might need cough medicine and be unable to take it. Get your anxiety under control - that’s the most important thing by far.

[Anonymous]

Yes, get on the Zoloft. If you get covid, cough medicine won’t help. Your mental health is important too.

[Anonymous]

If you have a regimen that you know works for you, I would get back on it, pronto.

If you get sick, trust that you and your doctors will make good decisions.

And hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have nearly 5 and 3 year old boys. They are extremely active and high energy so being home 24/7 has been difficult despite having a backyard (no swing set but we do have a trampoline) and taking daily walks around the neighborhood. DH is an essential employee so he is still reporting to the office every day. And his job is hanging by a thread. The days have been extremely long and I am just at the end of my rope by the afternoon and just feel like the meanest mommy by then. I think I should return to my Zoloft rx to get my anxiety under control but then I’m worried if I get sick I won’t be able to take cough medicine as there’s an interaction from what I understand. Is that hangup just anxiety in itself? I feel terrible. My kids are angels. My husband is a saint. I don’t deserve any of them. How are you fellow parents (especially those alone with the kids) coping with this?

Your reactions to this is perfectly normal. You don't need medication -- there is nothing wrong with you. Everyone is having a really hard time right now. You're normal.

[Anonymous]

Call your doctor. They may do a video call. They can help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have nearly 5 and 3 year old boys. They are extremely active and high energy so being home 24/7 has been difficult despite having a backyard (no swing set but we do have a trampoline) and taking daily walks around the neighborhood. DH is an essential employee so he is still reporting to the office every day. And his job is hanging by a thread. The days have been extremely long and I am just at the end of my rope by the afternoon and just feel like the meanest mommy by then. I think I should return to my Zoloft rx to get my anxiety under control but then I’m worried if I get sick I won’t be able to take cough medicine as there’s an interaction from what I understand. Is that hangup just anxiety in itself? I feel terrible. My kids are angels. My husband is a saint. I don’t deserve any of them. How are you fellow parents (especially those alone with the kids) coping with this?

Your reactions to this is perfectly normal. You don't need medication -- there is nothing wrong with you. Everyone is having a really hard time right now. You're normal.

It sounds like OP has suffered from anxiety in the past and knows herself well enough to know she needs some help right now. Everyone is responding to this differently and has different tolerance levels. OP trust your gut on this and reach out.

[Anonymous]

Hugs op. I don’t usually get depressed and I’ve been feeling very low lately. You need to take care of yourself whenever you can. Meditate, exercise, healthy food, Zoloft.

You’ll get through this!

[Anonymous]

These are questions you need to direct to your doctor, not DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Please take your medication if you need it. Cough medicine will not be an issue in COVID. Your mental health is very important and your boys need you at your best. Take care of yourself, OP and I hope you feel better soon.

[Anonymous]

Oh honey, I AM WITH YOU. I have also have a 3 and 5 year old, and I am just drained. My kids are also super wonderful, my DH and I are both working from home, and he's a very hands on spouse and dad. But it is just hard. There is no alone time.

My only advice is plan for the afternoons to be hard. Put on Disney+ and don't feel even an ounce guilty while you sit in another room and just stare at the wall or something.

But also, if you've had a good experience with zoloft, I'd try it again.

Be gentle with yourself OP. This is an incredibly hard time.

[Anonymous]

Your last line waived a red flag at me OP. The "I don't deserve them" line.

Please call your doctor. Taking care of yourself right now means making sure you have all the tools you need, and this made include medication. Talk it through with your doctor.

[Anonymous]

I have a 1 and a 3 yo and during this time have often regretted having them. I am not up for this. It is too hard. I can’t do it.

I feel you OP.

[Anonymous]

OP, kids that age can be really annoying in large doses. I have complete and total sympathy. My 11-year-old has been pretty good for the most part, but there are definitely days when I kind of wish she would go away.

Hang in there. Is there maybe another SSRI you could take that wouldn't have a bad interaction with cough medicine? Or you could start the zoloft again and go off if you developed a cough.