Thank you again, Anita! I do think you are right. I don’t remember my parents being agitated so much by other *people* growing up, but that being said, they were always incredibly stressed out by their high-powered lawyer jobs. They very frequently took it out on me. I do think I absorbed a lot of their agitation, which is probably why I often feel triggered or agitated. I work very hard to not repeat these patterns with my son though.

What you said about my anxiety being pushed down while I am with them only to come to the surface makes a lot of sense too. I suppose I should spend less time with them? I usually only see them one or two weekends a month.

Also, I’m wondering when you think a person can finish therapy? Therapy is really expensive for me as it is not covered by insurance, and I am taking a break from the working world. Is it something I should expect to continue for a really long time? Or is their hope for someone like me (with general anxiety) to realistically stop therapy after a little while?