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-   -   Anxiety in the marriage (http://www.2-in-2-1.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=8966)

DogLover2014 24th November 2014 11:40 AM

Anxiety in the marriage
 
Hi, I really need help on where to turn or what to do next.

It's all complex but I'll try to keep it brief. Basically we've been married for 10 years and have 2 young children. 4 years ago hubby had a breakdown from working too much and he couldn't work. Because of this I had to do his job (same office), look after a toddler and house aswell as being heavily pregnant. I think I coped well though and supported him.

A few months later he was better and I started to get depression / anxiety. I took panic attacks all the time. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't look after our toddler, and couldn't take tablets because I was pregnant. I lost so much weight and thought I was losing my mind, it was awful. Hubby supported me, he was brilliant.

We got over that. Then 2 years ago we seemed to really drift apart. I didn't feel loved at all. I felt he didn't love me or wanted me. We only talked about the kids. He didn't seem to care that I was going out a lot more on my own just to clear my head.

I made a mistake with another man. Looking back it was a massive mistake but at the time it felt like it was keeping me alive. I almost felt happy around this other man. Anyway, I broke it off and confessed everything hoping that it would help our relationship change. He was devastated and rightly so. We talked and talked about it and he forgave me.

The problem now is that I still feel really unhappy. I don't mean sad, I mean that everytime im with my hubby he makes me feel tense and anxious. I try to avoid him. I don't know what to do!

I love him. He loves me. And yet I don't feel I can live with him anymore. I think if I stay with him my mental health with deteriorate even more :-(

chosen 24th November 2014 01:56 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
If you love each other then the problem clearly isnt with him. It may be that you are still slightly depressed. Have you been back to the doctor?
IT may be that you having an affair has made you discontent with normal real life and with your husband, so you must control any thoughts of the grass being greener, because they arent. Affairs can be attractive because they are NOT real life, they are fantasy pure and simple.
Give thanks for what you have, think of the many things you love about him. Be VERY thankful for his forgiveness and willingness to have you back, I doubt I would or could do that.

Please find a marriage weekend or weekly course to go on, and some marriage counselling may help. Also have regular date nights just the two of you. I feel that you are just not communicaiting well.

DogLover2014 24th November 2014 04:58 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
I haven't been back on anti depressants since although sometimes I think I should be when I have a bad patch. When I said 'mistake' I didn't sleep with him or anything like that by the way. It was more a supportive friendship going too far.

In some ways I think I told him because I wanted him to leave me. But he won't give me up without a fight which is so admirable. I just find every day an absolute struggle. I can't describe it. If I didn't have my children, I would almost be convinced that ending my life would be easier than live with pain and suffering.

I wouldn't go through with it but this is my daily thought process. I'm just tired of it :-(

chosen 24th November 2014 06:03 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
When did this start?

DogLover2014 24th November 2014 07:32 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
3 years ago when I went through my depression. It's hard to explain. It's like I feel completely trapped.

chosen 24th November 2014 08:30 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DogLover2014 (Post 80913)
3 years ago when I went through my depression. It's hard to explain. It's like I feel completely trapped.


I think its still to do with the depression if thats when it started.

DogLover2014 24th November 2014 10:27 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
i never had depression until he left me with too much responsibility with the house and child, I did everything and that's when I broke down and took panuc attacks.. I suppose it sounds like I'm blaming him for it which isn't true although he did say he 'shouldve done more and will always help from now on' which didn't last. Am I looking to blame him for it? Would I have got depression regardless? Would I feel this way if I lived on my own?

No one can replace him, I know that now. But living on my own doesn't really scare me, but our young children living with one parent just doesn't seem right. They should have us both. But at a cost to my health..

chosen 24th November 2014 10:30 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DogLover2014 (Post 80917)
i never had depression until he left me with too much responsibility with the house and child, I did everything and that's when I broke down and took panuc attacks.. I suppose it sounds like I'm blaming him for it which isn't true although he did say he 'shouldve done more and will always help from now on' which didn't last. Am I looking to blame him for it? Would I have got depression regardless? Would I feel this way if I lived on my own?

No one can replace him, I know that now. But living on my own doesn't really scare me, but our young children living with one parent just doesn't seem right. They should have us both. But at a cost to my health..

Thats why you need investigate why you are feeling anxious and trapped around him when there seems to be no real reason.

DogLover2014 24th November 2014 10:36 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
That's true. He hasn't been able to go out properly for a couple of years. 'Date night' usually ends up with one of us feeling panicky and having to go home (usually him). When he's anxious I get anxious which is why I hate it. He's had therapy with two different people, I've had none but we're still the same.

Anyway, thanks for replying to me I really appreciate it x

Raymond 25th November 2014 10:55 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
What are you actually anxious about? I see it as a kind of fear, but it doesn't come from God.

chosen 25th November 2014 11:29 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
if you are both suffering from anxiety it sounds as if you both need help. I had severe depression many years ago with panic attacks so I do understand.

DogLover2014 26th November 2014 01:21 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Raymond, that's a hard question. For me, I have a fear of sickness, germs. I worry about my hubby too. I like to think he's my rock but when he is anxious and weak it feels like I'm on my own. He has panic disorder. He's scared of fainting in public or taking an attack at restaurants / cinema etc.

He doesn't get to church much because of it. Probably for the last 2 years he's been off and on. Our pastor knows our situation. We told him about what id done and he's been great. He made me feel like I wasnt alone when I thought everyone would hate me.

We just have so many issues. Both personally and together.

chosen 26th November 2014 06:18 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DogLover2014 (Post 80927)
Raymond, that's a hard question. For me, I have a fear of sickness, germs. I worry about my hubby too. I like to think he's my rock but when he is anxious and weak it feels like I'm on my own. He has panic disorder. He's scared of fainting in public or taking an attack at restaurants / cinema etc.

He doesn't get to church much because of it. Probably for the last 2 years he's been off and on. Our pastor knows our situation. We told him about what id done and he's been great. He made me feel like I wasnt alone when I thought everyone would hate me.

We just have so many issues. Both personally and together.

Why would everyone hate you?We have all done stupid things in our lives that we regret. Is there anyone at your church who does prayer/ministry?

Raymond 26th November 2014 11:39 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DogLover2014 (Post 80927)
Raymond, that's a hard question. For me, I have a fear of sickness, germs. I worry about my hubby too. I like to think he's my rock but when he is anxious and weak it feels like I'm on my own. He has panic disorder. He's scared of fainting in public or taking an attack at restaurants / cinema etc.

He doesn't get to church much because of it. Probably for the last 2 years he's been off and on. Our pastor knows our situation. We told him about what id done and he's been great. He made me feel like I wasnt alone when I thought everyone would hate me.

We just have so many issues. Both personally and together.

Thank you for your reply Doglover. Your problems aren't particularly marriage problems but personal problems which you both have. Starting with yourself this fear of germs/sickness needs to be dealt with. It is alright to have a reasonable concern of germs but a wrong fear does not come from God so you can guess where it comes from. There will be a root of it somewhere, probably in your childhood. Prayer ministry would be a good idea and a good start to getting to the root of the problem as Chosen suggests. Not all churches are skilled at this but there are centres set up for that very purpose who help fill the gap which the churches aren't filling although they should be.

Any healing you have will always be centred on Christ so it is a good idea to cultivate a personal relationship with Him out of which will come any help you need, whether it is direct from Him or whether He will use others who understand that area. If you let us know which area you live in we can suggest a centre where you can get real help. It will be a battle but you will get healed if you persist.

DogLover2014 26th November 2014 11:57 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Chosen, I know how people look down on 'cheaters', it's one of the worst things you can do.

Raymond, I got a terrible bug right before my anxiety started. I've never been so sick in my life. But your right, my mum is a clean freak and I think she's very similar to me. I also think I have social anxiety. I like being with people but big crowds or groups tend to make me uneasy. So I seem prone to nervousness.

I feel I've gotten further from God. I feel ashamed. I know I've begged for forgiveness and I feel it's been dealt with, I just feel like a failure. Like I'll never ever be good enough for him no matter what I do.

Raymond 27th November 2014 11:27 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
It's not about how good we are DL it's about how good He is. We will always be weak but we are told to be strong in Him. He is our strength. That is the whole secret. You must know that we are not saved by good works but by faith in Him. There's no condemnation for those in Christ because He has taken any penalty of our sin on Himself. Our freedom is in Him.

It is possible that this fear of germs/sickness has been passed down the line from your mother but if that is the case you can be cut off from that. If there was an opening for it possibly when you were sick then that can be dealt with as well as can all the other stuff. I am not saying it is like a vending machine all in one go, although that can happen. We need to grow into and adjust to the healing that we get because we are so used to the old mechanisms. There is a place for walking in our healing. That's why I emphasise relationship with Christ. If Christ died for you on the cross why would He not now freely give you all things? It takes time to appropriate all that God has done for us but we need to make a start. Seeking the baptism of the Spirit would be a good start if you haven't already received. See Luke 29:49 and Acts 19:6 plus lots of other scriptures.

chosen 27th November 2014 07:25 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DogLover2014 (Post 80937)
Chosen, I know how people look down on 'cheaters', it's one of the worst things you can do.

Raymond, I got a terrible bug right before my anxiety started. I've never been so sick in my life. But your right, my mum is a clean freak and I think she's very similar to me. I also think I have social anxiety. I like being with people but big crowds or groups tend to make me uneasy. So I seem prone to nervousness.

I feel I've gotten further from God. I feel ashamed. I know I've begged for forgiveness and I feel it's been dealt with, I just feel like a failure. Like I'll never ever be good enough for him no matter what I do.

Unless you tell people they will never need to know what you have or havent done in the past. If you have asked GOd for forgiveness then you are forgiven, and the guilt isnt from Him.
Everyone in the world has things they wish they hadnt done, because we are all fallible human beings. Dont beat yourself up any more.

DogLover2014 6th December 2014 07:40 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
some people in my town know. Although I don't think they realise I've already told him. Just feel like it's always an issue I think about everyday. Will someone tell a family member or something.

In another update, I feel close to him at the moment. Maybe with christmas round the corner etc, I just really want to be with him and stay content

Raymond 7th December 2014 04:57 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Good enough for who? God or your husband?

DogLover2014 22nd December 2014 12:51 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Never good enough for God. I know we're all precious to him but I just seem to keep fighting temptation all the time. I sometimes look at other men and wonder what it would be like to date them, like the grass is greener type thing.

chosen 23rd December 2014 07:22 AM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DogLover2014 (Post 81237)
Never good enough for God. I know we're all precious to him but I just seem to keep fighting temptation all the time. I sometimes look at other men and wonder what it would be like to date them, like the grass is greener type thing.

Thats something you will have to learn to control. Joyce Meyer has written a good book called the Battlefield of the mind.

Raymond 23rd December 2014 09:47 PM

Re: Anxiety in the marriage
 
We can all feel that at times doglover. Being tempted isn't a sin. Entering into it is. Having a good marriage is a good defence I find. Also praying at the time especially in the Spirit if you know what that is.


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