Protecting Your Marriage Jeopardized by Anxiety

Anyone with an anxiety disorder can attest to the fact that living constantly on the edge is no fun. What’s more, those with anxiety know that they are not the only ones who suffer: people close to them do as well—family, friends, and significant others. If you are married to someone with an anxiety disorder, knowing how you can help can make the battle a lot easier for both of you.

Regardless of type, anxiety is a psychological health condition affecting 40 million American adults. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), although anxiety disorders are highly treatable, only about one third of those affected receive treatment. Any form of anxiety is a struggle, but it can be doubly challenging when the condition becomes a third party in your marriage. It is something no couple wants to go through.

When Anxiety Rules Your Marriage

Anxiety has the power to alter the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and functions on a daily basis. Those with anxiety often feel extremely exhausted, overwhelmed, and feeling that they lack control over their day-to-day life. Every area of life can potentially be affected, including work, social engagements, and relationships.

The same study by the ADAA suggests that an anxiety disorder can take a major toll on marriages where one or both spouses are experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Although the respondents have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the findings may be consistent for other types of anxiety disorders. The study supports the fact that people with GAD experience at least one relationship problem, and are three times more likely to go through a series of difficulties concerning intimacy with their partner. It also revealed that 75 percent of spouses with GAD are unable to perform normal activities with their partner.

A marriage complicated by anxiety creates a stressful environment for both spouses. The anxious half may suffer from limiting feelings and inability to face the daily demands of life, while the non-anxious spouse assumes more than the normal share of domestic, parenting, financial, and other responsibilities. Anxiety tends to become a priority over family activities, household routines, and social life.

An anxiety disorder replaces the feeling of safety with insecurity, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Anxiety symptoms can include irritability, sadness, lack of energy, and low self-esteem as well. It is no wonder that marital friendship and intimacy can be impaired. These challenges, when ignored, can tempt couples to consider separation or divorce as a way to get out of a dynamic weakened by an anxiety disorder. Seeking treatment for anxiety is a beneficial option for helping someone you love conquer their fears and regaining control of your relationship.

Protecting Your Marriage: Beyond Worry

To a person with an anxiety disorder, the world may look terrifying. They have a tendency to seclude themselves in an attempt to hide or run away from perceived danger. Marital discord may contribute to anxiety symptoms, resulting in the formation of emotional walls that can make it impossible to work on improving your relationship. Difficulty connecting emotionally often produces increased conflict and strain on an otherwise strong relationship. Anxiety can quickly create a negative cycle within the relationship, causing couples to become distant, numb, angry, or even aggressive toward each other.

The desire to protect that significant person from difficult emotions and conflict by hiding your own feelings may backfire as frustration and resentment builds up and marital closeness disappears. 

Finding help can be important. Whether you or your spouse has an anxiety disorder, it is crucial to have knowledge about anxiety disorders, your spouse, and your marriage.

Many options are available when it comes to treating anxiety disorders, and most are known to have effective outcomes. By equipping yourself with the necessary information and finding the right help, you have the power to improve your relationship. A non-judgmental, caring therapist can be a great ally during this difficult time.

Finding the Right Therapist

Managing anxiety can be difficult, however, it isn’t impossible. It can feel like you’re giving more than you can, but all your love, kindness, understanding, and patience is not enough.

It is important to remember that no matter how much you try, you alone cannot cure someone else’s anxiety. There are licensed professionals with the right training, expertise, and experience to address the unique symptoms of an anxiety disorder. It is time to meet the right therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services — Sanford, NC. Call CCS today to get started.

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