Dear Ann Cannon • I have a wonderful young adult child who has dealt with depression and anxiety since childhood. It has always been hard for me to separate myself from their pain during hard times. When they are suffering, I am also. This is getting harder, especially since I have other children, a husband and a job that also needs my full effort. How can I separate myself so I can support my child and be empathetic without suffering myself? I’ve recently been told that a parent is only as happy as their saddest child, but that didn’t help at all.
Ask Ann Cannon: How can I support my troubled child without suffering myself?
