Spouse having panic attacks when I leave the house.?!
Question:
Spouse having panic attacks when I leave the house.?
My husband is disabled due to a variety of things. Recently he fell and broke his kneecap, fractured a rib, and chipped a bone in his wrist while I was at work. My company has let me work from home to allow me to take care of him. Now, however, any time I try to leave the house for shopping, etc., he has a panic attack. I need to get back to work because I don't think my company will continue indefinately letting me work from home and I can't afford to take FMLA. I have already been home for 10 weeks and can't leave the house. We have a 150lb Doberman that needs to be taken out many times a day and he is afraid that the dog will pull him down. He is on Xanex, but that just makes him sleepy. How do I help him get over this?
Answers:
I saw some excellent ideas!
you don't mention his age and it only matters because if he is a Sr he may qualify for some added benefits such as a home health worker.
Being afraid to be left alone is pretty valid
for someone who really WAS hurt when they were alone. His dog seems OK for companionship but we can't expect your spouse to go running down the street with healing injuries! Xanex is OK for a really short term problem(like the first few days of a death in the family)but I would rather pay for a human companion. until he seems more confidant.
I have one for my mom and if I didn't know better I would swear I never paid her a dime for her friendship and laughter. The Sr program in Montana pays her an hourly wage and I pay her 2 dollars more( because I want to) and my mom has a best friend!(they even have spats lol)
Go for a Sr Companion.You won't regret it!
(there are many retired men waiting to BE a companion)
Even if your husband is not a Sr....an old dude is loving and understanding and they can talk about tires and tools and stuff and you won't have to.(LOL)
Love to you...Suzie