Hi Gary68,

I think it is amazing you feel you may be ready to talk to your family about anxiety. It can take a lot of courage; especially if you have worked really hard to hide this. I think your wife will likely be relieved you are talking to her about it. It's hard to support someone when you don't know exactly what's going on for them. Try to talk openly and honestly. Also, share what you have learned so far about anxiety. Ask your wife about her thoughts and how your anxiety may have impacted her. Dealing with anxiety in the family could be challenging for her too - that's ok. Avoid taking any frustrations she may have as criticisms. Anxiety is to blame and not you as a person. Avoid being hard on yourself when you talk to your wife. Anxiety is not your fault and it is certainly not a weakness. It is something that you both can work on together. It is also the most treatable mental health issue there is. If you two come at this as a team and follow evidence based treatment (CBT, counselling, medication) then you will likely feel better soon!

I am not sure if you also want to talk to your kids about this. I am not sure their age ranges so it would depend on that. Talk to your wife first and come up with a plan together in telling the kids if you feel you want to.

Good luck and be sure to update us on how it goes!

Ashley, Health Educator

Hi Gary,

I just told my partner and close friends pretty honestly. I also showed them this website. My close friends understand but I often try to hide my anxiety when I am around them or make excuses. My best friend is the most understanding as she has anxiety issues herself. I say, just go for it and tell them. They probably already know something is up. My boyfriend doesn't understand anxiety at all so avoid talking to him about it. I feel he thinks it's an annoyance more then anything but I can't expect him to understand something he has never really experienced. I would talk to them about it and then you will know for sure who will be a supportive person in your recovery and who you may want to avoid talking to about it.

I think I need to talk to my family about this. I have been the rock of the household. toughing it out. lately I couldn't hide how I have been feeling. I want to talk to my wife about it but I don't want to scare her or make her worry about me. How do you talk to your family or loved ones about it. What is good to say and what should I avoid?

Thank you.