My husband’s anxiety has always taken one particularly strange form. But things just escalated beyond what I can stand.

Key Points:

• A woman writes to Dear Prudence about her husband's severe anxiety and OCD focused on health, particularly his repeated fears of having STIs despite negative tests and reassurance, which has recently led her to suspect he may have cheated during a work trip.
• The husband’s usual reassurance from his wife and medication has not sufficed this time, prompting STI testing; although tests were negative, the wife's trust has been shaken due to his unusual behavior on the trip, including lack of usual calls and heavy drinking.
• The advice columnists highlight the core issue as a lack of trust in the marriage, suggesting that the wife focus on this fundamental problem rather than solely on the husband's mental health or reassurance needs.
• They recommend couples counseling to address trust issues and mental health challenges, cautioning against digital snooping due to its potential to cause more harm and complicate the relationship further.
• Ultimately, the experts emphasize that professional therapy is the best path forward to either repair the marriage or navigate its possible end, with a hope for improved trust and support in the future.