332: Living With a Spouse With Trauma and Anxiety
Welcome to the Joyful Mom Podcast!
This podcast episode explores the deeply personal and emotional journey of a couple navigating the impact of severe anxiety and trauma following the tragic loss of their daughter, Aria, in 2016. The host, Megan, invites her husband, Justin, to share his perspective on how their relationship and family life changed due to her struggles with anxiety. Justin reflects on how Megan transformed from a carefree, joyful person into someone consumed by fear and stress, making everyday life—like driving home at night or getting out of bed in the morning—immensely challenging. He candidly discusses how the shift in her mental state affected their marriage, often leaving him feeling like he was living with a different person than the woman he married.
Throughout the conversation, they highlight specific instances where Megan’s anxiety disrupted their daily lives, including constant nighttime checks on their children and an inability to travel or function normally. Justin also recalls a difficult moment when he admitted he wasn’t sure if he still loved her, underscoring the strain their relationship endured. Despite the hardships, both emphasize the importance of acknowledging the toll trauma takes on loved ones and the resilience required to navigate such challenges. Their discussion offers a raw and honest look at the complexities of living with anxiety while striving to maintain a strong marriage and family unit.
After experiencing profound grief and anxiety following their daughter Aria’s passing, Megan reflects on how much her emotional state has transformed and how that shift has positively impacted her family. She and Justin discuss how she was once overwhelmed by constant fear, leading to heightened reactivity, prolonged conflicts, and a tense household atmosphere. Now, however, Megan feels deeply healed, allowing her to process emotions more effectively, navigate challenges with greater resilience, and foster a more peaceful, connected home life. Justin shares how this change has made a significant difference for him as a husband—he no longer feels like he’s walking on eggshells and instead enjoys a more stable and loving partnership.
The conversation also touches on their current challenge—Justin unexpectedly losing his job just weeks before the birth of their next child. Despite the uncertainty, Megan’s healing allows her to approach the situation with clarity and confidence rather than panic. Instead of spiraling into fear, they are able to focus on problem-solving and embracing potential new opportunities. Justin acknowledges Megan’s immense personal growth and her dedication to helping others overcome anxiety and trauma, emphasizing how her transformation has not only changed her life but has also profoundly improved their family’s well-being.
If you want to learn more about how you can clear anxiety more automatically by rewiring how the mind is working and processing things, go to my website www.meganhillukka.com where you can click on a link to register for my free training, where I will show you what you need in order to do this.
