Navigating Depression and Anxiety As A Mother of Adult Children

As the mother of adult children, it’s normal to feel occasional sadness and worry. But when sadness becomes depression, and worry is a symptom of anxiety, it’s time to consider getting help.  This episode helps you understand the difference between normal transitional feelings and signs that you may need additional support from a therapist or doctor. Key Takeaways: The empty nest is often described as a loss that comes without a funeral. There’s no ceremony, no community ritual, no structured grief process. Suddenly: Your identity shifts Your routine changes Your purpose feels blurry Your home feels different And long-buried emotions have space to surface A certain amount of sadness, nostalgia, and disorientation is part of the process. But depression is when those emotional dips become your emotional baseline. You may be dealing with transitional sadness if you… Have occasional tearfulness Feel tender or nostalgic Miss your old routines Have lower motivation for a few days Feel sad but still have moments of connection, laughter, or hope You may be dealing with depression if you… Wake up feeling hopeless more days than not Notice a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy Feel chronically tired or numb Struggle to get basic tasks done Experience changes in sleep or appetite Feel like life has lost its color or meaning If you’ve been feeling this way for two or more weeks—and it interferes with daily functioning—it’s time to reach out. You may be dealing with normal anxiety if you… Worry about your kids but can redirect yourself Feel restless or overthink occasionally Have days of feeling “off” but can still function You may be dealing with anxiety that needs support if you… Have constant rumination you can't shut off Feel physically activated (tight chest, racing heart) Catastrophize or spiral into worst-case scenarios Avoid certain situations because of worry Feel like your fear is running the show Persistent anxiety is not a personality flaw—it’s a physiological and cognitive loop that often responds beautifully to therapy and, in some cases, medication. Consider therapy or speaking with a doctor if: Your symptoms have lasted 2+ weeks consistently You’re not functioning like you normally do You’re withdrawing socially You’re having intrusive thoughts you can’t control You feel like you’re “losing yourself” or emotionally drowning Your anxiety feels constant, physical, or uncontrollable Your world starts shrinking because you’re trying to manage your feelings You’re using alcohol, food, or avoidance to cope Better Help Counseling If you know you could use some, email me to schedule a complimentary happy hour call:. [email protected] Thank you for investing your valuable time and energy into listening to the podcast. I’m so very grateful for you.  If you enjoyed this episode, you can “tip the bartender” by rating and reviewing the podcast. Your review makes it easier for others to find the podcast.  Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified any time I pour out a new episode.  My new book Intentional Intoxication: How To Deliberately Distill The Different Life You Desire, is available on Amazon. You can imbibe on the entire book in one, short, intentionally happier hour: Intentional Intoxication Book If you’re interested to know about how I can support you in overcoming the habit of escaping or chasing, I invite you to reach out to me by using the email below and we find a time to chat: [email protected] For a quick shot of your life’s current level of intoxication, I invite you to complete the 10 Questions on my Intoxication Inventory: Intoxication Inventory