All relationships can be challenging. Most couples have areas of differences and incompatibilities, and each of these differences can test your relationship. Anxiety can complicate these differences.

Whether you or your spouse have an anxiety disorder, you may experience periods of panic, fear and a general sense of tension. The challenges couples normally come across may become exacerbated due to anxiety.

An anxiety disorder can cause you or your partner to become distant and imprisoned by the thought that you are unlovable or incapable of love. Anxiety can ruin your relationship by overpowering your judgment in deciding whether being in a committed relationship is a source of comfort or pain. Anxiety can be overwhelming; however, it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Married with Anxiety

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) conducted a study on the impact of anxiety on relationships. Although the target respondents were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder or GAD, the findings may be similar for all types of anxiety disorder. The study concludes that there is a lesser probability for GAD-affected individuals to stay in a healthy and supportive intimate relationship than people without GAD. It reveals that anxiety has a negative effect on relationships, with complications such as regular arguments, withdrawal from social activities, and loss of intimacy reported by seven out of ten respondents.

Anxiety can cause fear or worry that may make it difficult to identify your partner’s true needs as well as your own. Overwhelming feelings can make it difficult to pay attention to what is happening in the relationship and leave your partner feeling like you don’t care. Anxiety can break down the elements of trust and connection in your relationship.

Anxiety can suppress your ability to express your true feelings. Keeping your emotions bottled up may eventually spiral out of control, causing you to feel overwhelmed and defensive. Allowing your thoughts or fears to circulate in your mind may drain your energy and make your anxiety even stronger.

The self-fulfilling power of anxiety can lead you to focus too much on your perceived concerns or worries. The excessive fears you feel may put unnecessary strain on your relationship and keep you from being the compassionate partner you want to be.

If your spouse is the one with an anxiety disorder, you may resent your partner’s limiting feelings and ability to show up in your relationship. At the same time, you may begin to feel resentful as you take on the larger share of responsibilities while caring for both an anxious partner and the household.

Anxious feelings or thoughts can make it difficult to maintain connection with your spouse. The negativity that fills your mind can impair your ability to be present within your relationship and deprive you of the ability to connect and enjoy a healthy marriage.

Treatment Options for an Anxiety in Marriage

Sharing an intimate relationship with someone with an anxiety disorder can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. During this difficult time, it is important to properly care for your own well-being so you can remain a strong source of support for yourself and those closest to you. In order to maintain this, you may benefit from individual counseling to address how this is impacting you.

If your relationship is being threatened by anxiety, it makes sense to manage anxiety symptoms through individual counseling as well as couples counseling. Individual concerns can be addressed in individual sessions while the impact on your relationship can be addressed together.

Strengthening Your Relationship with Therapy

Anxiety can have a negative impact on relationships. It is difficult to live with someone experiencing intrusive anxiety disorder symptoms. Whether you or your spouse have an anxiety disorder, it is important not to be beaten down by the overpowering symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety symptoms are powerful, but you aren’t powerless.

You don’t have to wait for anxiety to further damage your relationship. Anxiety is treatable and many have found remission through counseling. You have the power to fight back. Contact Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC to schedule your first session. Don’t wait, call today.

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