When you hear the words "anxiety" and "relationship," there are a few different ways that your mind can go. The first is thinking about a relationship that's causing you anxiety. The second is thinking about how anxiety is impacting your relationship. Or, you may even have anxiety over finding a relationship. Anxiety and relationships don't go well together. But, regardless of which direction you were thinking, some tips can help you make it work.
Abusive Relationships
Before we dive into the causes of relationship anxiety and strategies to improve it, let's address the topic of abuse. If you're the victim in an abusive relationship, this information does not apply to you. Abuse should never exist within a relationship. It doesn't matter if it's physical, emotional/mental, or verbal abuse.
If you're not sure if your relationship is abusive, check out the following articles to see if you can relate to the information included:
If you are in an abusive relationship, you must put your safety first. Do not stay with someone that abuses you physically, verbally, or emotionally. If you need support in moving on from your relationship and overcoming the
When Your Relationship Is Causing You Anxiety
The first thing you need to do if you're in a relationship causing you anxiety is determining where the problem stems from. Relationships are complicated, and even the best ones can be caused by anxiety from time to time. However, a little work can change all that.
Many different things could be causing your anxiety. It could be that you have differing opinions than your significant other; you both lack proper communication skills, handle finances differently, or have different dreams that you want to pursue. Learning to trust another person can also be difficult and cause you anxiety. There is truly an unlimited list of reasons why you could be experiencing anxiety in your relationship.
This is why it's important to process through and determine what's causing you to feel anxious. Is it that you feel out of control? Are you scared? Did you have a bad relationship in the past that impacts the way you feel in this current relationship? When you know what it is, you can address it directly.
Getting Rid Of Anxiety In Your Relationship
Here are some general tips to help:
Are You Looking For Specific Help?
While these general tips can help improve your anxiety and your relationship, it might not be enough for you to have the improvement you're looking for. This is when it's beneficial to talk to a therapist. They can help you identify areas in your life and relationship that are causing your stress and learn the strategies to overcome it.
How Anxiety Is Impacting Your Relationship
If you had struggled with anxiety long before you were in a relationship, you might be creating stress within your relationship because of it. Here are some ways that anxiety impacts relationships:
Healthy Ways To Handle Anxiety To Have A Successful Relationship
If you're living with an anxiety disorder impacting your daily life and relationships, you may want to talk to a therapist. Each person is different, and the way anxiety impacts your life and the reasons you struggle with it may be very different from it is for someone else. A therapist can help you get to the bottom of your anxiety, learn how to overcome it, and live a healthier life.
While working through counseling, you can also try the following:
When You're Anxious About Finding Love
If you long to be in a relationship, but it just hasn't worked out yet, you may experience anxiety. You can start to question if something is wrong with you or if you'll ever find love. If you find yourself in this place, it can help you out to talk to a therapist. It's important that you feel good about yourself and that your identity is not dependent on being in a relationship.
The only way for you to have a healthy relationship is for you to be a healthy individual. A therapist can help you build your self-esteem without being overly dependent on love.
When You Need Help With Your Anxiety
If you find that anxiety impacts your relationship or the chance of being in a relationship, don't hesitate to reach out to a therapist. Learning how to get your anxiety under control can help you in more than just romantic relationships. It can improve each area of your life. If you're looking for a therapist to work with, you can easily work with online counselors who make it fast and easy to get the help and support you're looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can anxiety interfere with relationships?
Anxiety doesn't necessarily interfere with relationships. In other words, anxiety can interfere with relationships in some cases, but it doesn't have to, and it doesn't always. If you have an understanding partner willing to learn about anxiety, it's unlikely to cause a strain. That said, anxiety can lead to relationship issues if you have a type of anxiety that can potentially impact interpersonal relationships directly, such as relationship anxiety. If you have relationship anxiety or think that you might have relationship anxiety, it is possible to work through it so that the effects of relationship anxiety no longer impact your interpersonal relationships.
How do you know if you have relationship anxiety?
Signs of relationship anxiety to look out for include:
If you notice signs of relationship anxiety in yourself, there's nothing to be ashamed of. The first step to coping with and working through relationship anxiety is awareness.
How do you stop relationship anxiety?
Those who experience relationship anxiety may benefit from counseling. There are also things you can do to help yourself outside of therapy if you experience relationship anxiety. Working toward reframing your thoughts, for example, may be beneficial. A previous relationship may have contributed to developing the aforementioned signs of relationship anxiety for some people who experience relationship anxiety. If this is the case, you may want to talk about the said previous relationship in counseling or therapy so that you can heal.
How do you date someone with anxiety?
Here are some tips for dating a person with anxiety:
When it comes to anxiety, it doesn't affect everyone the same. That's one essential thing to know about anxiety disorders, especially if you're in a committed relationship with someone who has one. Ask your partner how anxiety manifests for them personally, and know that no two people with anxiety are the same, even if they have the same anxiety disorder. For example, some people may want physical touch when they are anxious, and others may not. Some people want alone time, where other people want someone to be there. That's why awareness, both on your end and your partner's end, is so crucial.
What is it like dating someone with anxiety?
For the most part, dating someone with anxiety is like dating anyone else. It's essential to learn about your partner, their needs, and how they operate as a person in any relationship. If they're open about their anxiety, having candid, calm conversations about it is an excellent way to support the person you're dating.
How do I talk to my partner about anxiety?
Here are some ways to talk to your partner about anxiety: