Anyone else's anxiety spike when their partner works late?

5d ago·1 min read

My wife had to stay at the office until 9 PM last night for a deadline and I completely spiraled. Started checking my phone every 30 seconds, couldn't focus on getting the kids to bed, had that weird chest tightness thing. She finally got home and I felt like an idiot for being so wound up over nothing. She wasn't in danger, traffic was fine, but my brain wouldn't settle down. Is this normal or am I losing it? My 6-year-old picked up on it too which made me feel even worse.

4 comments367 views

Comments(4)

EEric V.Regular4d ago

This spiked hard for me after my dad had health issues. Now whenever my wife works late I'm just... on edge. Started doing breathing exercises on the couch while waiting for her to get home and it actually helps a bit.

CCarl W.Regular3d ago

The checking your phone every 30 seconds hits different when you're also trying to wrangle kids. You're basically running two mental processes and neither is working. That's rough dude

OOliver Q.Regular3d ago

Yeah man this is totally relatable. The phone checking thing is the worst part because you KNOW logically she's fine but your brain just won't shut up about it. Have you talked to her about it?

RRyan M.New Dad3d ago

Not alone here. I figured out mine was tied to my ex leaving suddenly during divorce—any time my current partner stays late, my brain freaks. Therapy's been helping me separate that past from what's actually happening now.