Have you ever successfully stopped a fit of yours? Is there anything that anyone can say or do to “bring you back down to Earth”?

It’s on you to notice your own body and reactions when you get upset so that you can minimize and work through it. How do you know that you have started “throwing a fit”? Make a list. What do you want your ideal reaction to be instead? Write it down. Make a plan.

The next time you are upset, use a code word or phrase that you planned in advance. Maybe you and your husband could agree on a word like “overwhelmed.” He could say, “Hey, OP, it sounds like you’re getting overwhelmed.” You can say, “I am feeling overwhelmed.” This is a sign for both of you to walk away right then and there. You can approach him to start the conversation again when you are calm. Feel yourself wanting to start to cry, yell, or shut down? Take another break. “I’m feeling overwhelmed again” and walk away for a breather. You said you get anxious and upset thinking that the person will leave. I think sitting down with your husband and talking out this solution (or another plan) could make you feel more at ease and confident that taking a break because you’re overwhelmed is not the same as leaving or stopping the conversation — it’s just a pause, not an end. :)