Hi all,
My name is Emma and I am here hoping to get advice to better help my husband. So here is a brief synopsis: He suffers from hypochondria/OCD and it is only fueled by the fact that he DOES have health issues. He suffers from GERD, is overweight, and smokes. The anxiety means he can't lose weight because losing weight means something is wrong, the smoking aggravates the GERD which would lessen if he could lose about 40lbs- according to all the DR.'s he's seen-, and all the while he can't quit smoking because it helps the anxiety. It's a vicious cycle that only intensifies in the winter for whatever reason. During the summer months it isn't so bad. He won't take medication, exercise, or eat right either, it's almost like he WANTS to suffer. Meanwhile, I work 2 jobs (partly as a means of escape and partly because of the medical bills.), have CFS/Fibro, and depression and just can't seem to be as supportive as I used to be. I used to spend hours talking him down, and now I just snap. I feel useless and incapable of helping him through the attacks and am therefore desperate for some advice on what helps others manage. I may not understand it, but I am trying to be understanding and caring. Any suggestions? What can I say that is helpful without being a know-it-all?
