Love is a beautiful feeling. You feel empowered knowing you are loved. However, loving a person struggling with an anxiety disorder can be challenging. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems in the United States, affecting nearly 40 million adults each year.
Anxiety affects almost all areas of life: work, health, relationships, etc. To build a strong foundation, it’s important to understand how anxiety disorders affect one partner and how to deal with it in a way that only strengthens the relationship.
To achieve this, it is essential to remember a few things that can help build a loving and respectful relationship. Some of these things are detailed here:
- A person struggling with anxiety thinks he or she may die: During a panic attack, one may begin to palpitate, have a rapid heartbeat, and may also sweat profusely. He or she may want to vomit or even pass out. These feelings are real and not exaggerated.
- You have to be patient with the affected person.: A person struggling with anxiety disorder already has a lot going on in their life. It is, therefore, the duty of the other partner to be patient, compassionate and kind. Help him with daily tasks and encourage him to take one day at a time.
- They don’t want to be defined by their anxiety alone.: There is much more to a person than just their anxiety. However, people tend to be surprised by mental illness. Therefore, they do not realize that the person suffering from anxiety is just like any other human being with all the complexities. Pigeonholing someone can be demotivating and can jeopardize a relationship.
- Anxiety can tire: Anxiety can be exhausting. People dealing with anxiety are hyperventilating and always on alert. This hyperventilation can be exhausting as the body is in fight or flight mode. Situations that people without anxiety can easily go through become exhausting for the affected person.
- Anxiety can be overwhelming: Anxiety can easily overwhelm a person. Any source of light, noise or any sight can be disturbing and overwhelming for a person who has it. Any change in a routine can be disconcerting. Therefore, it is important to understand and empathize with them, instead of criticizing them for something they have no control over.
- They don’t like to be asked ‘are you okay?’ every time: There’s no use asking an anxious person if he or she is okay because they’re not, especially when anxiety hits you in full swing. The question may hurt him. One can, on the contrary, ask supporting questions such as “can I be of some help to you?”, “I am here for you, you know it”, etc. These are more reassuring and convincing ones that can be used to appease someone.
- They appreciate the support – Sometimes, to the other person, it can seem like an anxiety sufferer is so full of himself and ignores who cares. It is important to understand that he/she is not ignoring, but dealing with his/her own set of challenges most of the time.
The road to recovery
Sometimes, despite support, people with anxiety find that their lives are falling apart with each passing day. Trying self-help techniques provides a short-term remedy. It is important to seek professional help, which may include medications and behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to relieve symptoms.