Dating Someone with Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide
You are reading this because you experience anxiety and are considering being in a relationship. Let’s start with the most important item. Anxiety is natural and something that just about every person experiences to some degree.
Some people have anxiety right before a big test or presentation. Others experience anxiety when dealing with confrontation. It’s simply a part of life. Even the movie Inside Out mentions anxiety.
Understanding your symptoms of anxiety can help you better connect with your partner. This can build empathy in the relationship. Remember that the anxiety you experience is not something that one can simply “snap out of.” There is a clear difference between anxiety and worry. Anxiety disorders are mental health issue that requires patience and support.
Working with a counselor is a wonderful way to help you learn how to be in relationship and navigate anxiety.
Understanding Your Anxiety
Let’s start with the basics on anxiety. Anxiety is a mental health condition described by symptoms like ongoing worry, fear, and nervousness. The anxiety you experience can manifest in various ways, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, and in order forms.
It’s important to be able to recognize your symptoms of anxiety. Doing so gives you awareness and understanding. In addition, it can help you educate your partner on your experience with anxiety. Common signs include:
- Excessive worrying
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
3 Communication Tips To Practice
A great place to start is in building effective communication skills. This can help you with creating and sustaining healthy relationships. Here are some strategies to improve communication:
1. Practice Active Listening:
You may think to yourself that you know how to listen. Trust me, I get it. I encourage you to try something different. Try active listening. This is the process of giving your partner full attention, removing judgment, and increasing empathy.
2. Use Open-Ended Questions:
Next time that you and communicating with a peer try to ask questions that encourage your peer to share their thoughts and feelings. For instance, instead of asking, “Are you okay?” try, “How are you feeling about what happened?”
3. Validate Their Feelings:
Validation is essential. I want you to think about a time when you shared your feelings and someone made you feel heard. That’s called validation. Next time that you speak to a friend or your partner, try to validate their feelings. For instance, you can practice statements like, “I can see that you’re really stressed about this.”
Take Time To Get To Know Yourself
Your anxiety may show up in its own unique way. Working with a counselor can help you understand your triggers and develop appropriate coping skills. Today, reflect on past experiences to identify what triggers your anxiety and how it shows up in your body.
Professional counseling can help. Contact Santos Counseling to get started.
