Anxiety Girl Falls Again (Sadie Valentine - Book 2) by Lacey London

Author:Lacey London [London, Lacey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SSO Publishing
Published: 2017-07-27T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Watching the release cushion make its way around the room, I try not to feel disheartened. He’s not here, again. We are only five minutes from the end of the meeting and Aidan hasn’t shown. I always find it difficult when people leave Anxiety Anonymous as I become so attached to them, but my instincts are telling me this isn’t a usual case. Something doesn’t feel quite right, I just can’t put my finger on what it is.

As I ponder the circumstances around Aidan’s mysterious disappearance, the release cushion lands with a gentleman I don’t recognise. Immediately sitting up straight, he turns the pillow over in his hands.

‘Hello.’ He mumbles, his face immediately flushing as everyone’s gaze turns to him. ‘I’m not here for myself. I’m here for my daughter. My wife and I are in the process of divorcing and she isn’t taking it all that well.’

Coming back to earth with a thud, I snap to attention and zone in on his words.

‘I don’t mean to sound naïve, but I’m not sure if she’s suffering from anxiety. I’ve spent hours on end scouring the web and anxiety is the one thing I keep coming back to. She’s not really eating, she doesn’t want to get out of her bed and I’ll randomly find her crying for no apparent reason. Trying to get her to attend a social event of any kind is near impossible. The only place she seems to be comfortable is at home.’

He pauses and studies the release cushion closely before speaking again.

‘I don’t want to cause offence, but this whole mental health thing is all very new to me. I’m very much of a pour yourself a drink and pull yourself together kind of guy. I just came here in the hope that you can help me to understand what she’s going through.’

Having heard these concerns many times in the past, I understand this perfectly. ‘I realise how difficult it must be for you to comprehend your daughter’s struggles, but it is very common for children to suffer symptoms of anxiety and depression after a divorce. Recognising that something is wrong is the first step in getting your daughter the help that she needs…’

‘Help?’ He interjects, looking rather worried. ‘What kind of help?’

‘Don’t be alarmed. Help can be something as simple as talking.’ I offer him a friendly smile in the hope that he relaxes. ‘Have you tried speaking to your daughter about how she feels?’

‘No.’ He replies sadly. ‘Every time I bring it up, she seems to push me further away. I thought it would be best not to draw attention to it.’

‘A lot of children in her position feel neglected and unloved when their parents decide to separate. Keeping an open and honest communication between you will help her to realise the divorce isn’t going to affect the relationship you have. Sometimes, talking is all the help a person needs…’

I continue to tell him about the forum and a few others chip in with snippets of advice before I wrap up the meeting and make my way outside.

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