SELF – Eva Amurri Martino May Be Dealing With PTSD After Her Baby Was Dropped

Parent anxiety is normal, and very real. Nothing is scarier for a parent than an accident involving their child. Eva Martino recently faced this when her baby was dropped by a caregiver. And while the baby is fine, Martino’s anxiety has been so severe that she is experiencing PTSD.

Anxiety about safety and wellbeing are surely part of normal parenting experience, but too much of it can impair it’s useful impact. I was pleased to weigh in on this great piece about finding balance when it comes to parental anxiety.

Licensed clinical psychologist Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., tells SELF that it’s “very common” for parents to have anxiety about their children’s safety. “Children are extremely vulnerable and rely on our caregiving for their every need,” she explains. “It is impossible to understand this and not feel anxiety—the worry that something we care about could be harmed.” That anxiety simply means that parents are alert and concerned about their children, she says.

Luckily, most parents experience less worry and guilt within a month after the traumatic event—even with very upsetting injuries, Coleman says. However, if the feelings persist and are accompanied by overthinking, overprotectiveness, intrusive memories of the injury, and becoming upset by reminders of the injury, it’s a good idea to seek therapy, he says. Having symptoms that interfere with your daily functioning—your ability to sleep, concentrate, or have energy—is also a sign that you should get help, Clark says.