I’m Learning That Huntington’s Anxiety Doesn’t Need to Be Contagious

Twenty minutes.

I was leaving work 20 minutes later than planned, which meant I would be late to pick up my wife, Jill, at home. We had dinner plans that evening with friends, and I knew she would be a nervous wreck by the time I arrived.

Being late has always bothered her, but since being diagnosed as gene-positive with Huntington’s disease in 2018, it’s gotten worse.

As I got into my car to drive home, I called to tell her I was leaving. She is not the type to complain, but I always know when she feels anxious. When she answered, she sounded a little worried. I started to apologize for leaving later than expected because I was held up by a meeting.

“It’s not the end of the world,” she said, sounding relieved that I was OK. “All that matters is that you get home safely.”

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As I drove, I noticed my muscles were tense. I’d been bracing for her anxious reaction, but now that I knew she wasn’t anxious, I took a deep breath and relaxed.

When I picked her up, I apologized, and she told me again it was OK and that she felt bad I was feeling anxious. I told her I was more concerned about her anxiety.

She told me that being late happens sometimes, and she’d texted our friends to let them know we were running late. Her calm when faced with running behind was new to me, so I asked her about it.

“I’m working on controlling my anxiety and the things I can’t control,” she said. “I’m working on just letting go and increasing my patience.”

I was impressed by her self-awareness and ability to work on aspects of herself that she knows could be healthier. She admitted it wasn’t easy, but knows it’s important for her to conquer as many issues as she can while she still has the ability to do so.

Unfortunately, anxiety is a common symptom in Huntington’s patients, and Jill knows it can become an out-of-control monster.

As we arrived at the restaurant, Jill grabbed my face and looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes and said she loves that I don’t want to do anything to upset her, but that I would need to learn to avoid letting her anxiety become mine.

As her Huntington’s progresses, she knows she will have less control over her emotions, so she’ll need me to keep calm and carry on no matter what she’s feeling.

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.