I know exactly how you feel. I have the same problem, too. Usually, when something happens to someone I love and I care way too much, I wake up in the morning with anxiety, sometimes have crying spells and I just want to curl up in a ball and not do anything productive... maybe watch funny movies to distract myself, as if I was literally sick. I feel like I can only get back to normal life when this person is happy and well again. It feels selfish if I feel any less.

A good tip my therapist gave to me is to think of my cat, who loves me so much, and what he does when I'm sad. He just comes up and curls into my lap, stares up at me and purrs, as if soothing me and knowing that everything is going to be alright. If he were to get sick and miserable being worried about me, that would just create more problems. He's just there for me and comforts me. So I try to remember my cat and react the way he does, with empathy but comfort and support at the same time.

It also helps to remember this: If you can do something about it, then don't worry about it. Just do the best you can. If you can't do anything about it, then don't worry about it. As they say, you need to put your own emergency mask on before you can assist others with their masks. Take care of yourself so that you can be at your best.

I hope he gets and stays better, and has the support he needs. I also hope you'll feel better.