The day-to-day pressures of parenting can leave even the most emotionally healthy mothers and fathers feeling stressed. Busy schedules, high expectations, inadequate sleep and family conflicts are common sources of parental stress. As a result, parents may experience anxiety, which is a condition that negatively affects mental and physical health.
Causes
Anxiety caused by parental stress may emerge due to unpredictability in the home environment. For example, if a child has frequent temper tantrums, outbursts, sleep issues or academic difficulties, parents may begin to feel edgy because they do not know what to expect next. These persistent feelings of edginess can lead to anxiety. Spousal conflicts about parenting can also contribute to stress. If parents disagree on how to handle disciplinary issues, for instance, these recurring conflicts can lead to anxious reactions. The United States Office of the Surgeon General explains that unrealistic expectations can be another cause parental anxiety. If a parent believes that she can never make mistakes, disappoint her children or take time off to care for her own well-being, she may develop anxious symptoms.
Symptoms
Parents experiencing stress-related anxiety may feel edgy and watchful and have difficulty concentrating. They may behave irritability toward their children and family members. Anxiety also causes physiological symptoms, including muscle tension, insomnia and fatigue, according to National Institutes of Health. Parents with anxiety often experience irrational and persistent worry as well. For example, anxious parents may have ongoing concerns about their children's well-being even when their children are safe or may have unfounded worries about being able to provide for their families financially.
Treatment
Parents can treat their stress-related anxieties at home. Meditation and deep breathing are both effective ways of reducing anxiety. Additionally, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol and exercising regularly can help reduce anxious symptoms. If these initial steps do not alleviate one's anxiety, the National Institute of Mental Health suggests seeing a professional counselor or psychologist. A professional therapist can help anxious parents learn new relaxation techniques and develop healthier outlooks on parenting. For severe cases of anxiety, medication can help individuals manage their anxious symptoms.
Prevention
Although it is impossible to eliminate all stress, parents can minimize negative emotions by dedicating time to relaxation. While that might not seem feasible for busy parents, even short meditation sessions can make a noticeable difference in one's mental health, according to the Mayo Clinic. Realistic expectations about the parenting process can also prevent stress-induced anxiety. If parents take time to reflect on their expectations for themselves, their spouses and children, they can potentially eliminate anxiety-provoking beliefs.
References
- "Abnormal Psychology"; James N. Butcher, Susan Mineka and Jill M. Hooley; 2010
- National Institutes of Health Medline Plus: Stress and Anxiety
- United States Office of the Surgeon General: Etiology of Anxiety Disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health: Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
- Mayo Clinic: Stress Management
