Anxiety is a prevalent issue around the world. Having a romantic partner who suffers from anxiety can cause a lot of strain in the relationship, both for you and your partner who deals with this psychological ailment. We want to help you learn how to help your partner with anxiety.

Why anxiety is a real issue

It is a very normal part of life to experience anxiety. For some, anxiety takes on a more persistent and chronic form, and that can spill into relationship issues.

Anxiety disorders are real and serious medical conditions as much as physical ailments like heart disease and diabetes. Some quick facts about anxiety:

• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illness in the U.S., affecting 18.1% of the population, according to Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

• Even though anxiety disorders are highly treatable, only about 37% of those suffering receive treatment.

• Women are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety as men, according to the NHS.

• Depression and anxiety are on the rise. Between 1990 and 2013, the number of people suffering from depression and/or anxiety increased by nearly 50%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Anxiety, while invisible, affects many people around the world. It is a real problem that shouldn’t be minimized or ignored. Let’s learn more about how to deal with anxiety in relationships.

What you need to know

Here are some important things to know when coping with a partner with anxiety:

• Most people have anxious thoughts, especially in the early stages of a relationship. However, people who struggle with anxiety will tend to have these insecure thoughts much more frequently.

• Anxiety can also manifest in physiological symptoms like shortness of breath, increased heart rate, sleeping trouble, anxiety attacks, and more.

• Anxious partners can sometimes be so overcome that they act out, putting increased strain on the relationship.

• Anxiety is actually a normal physical response to a brain that is being over-protective. There is a primitive part of the brain wired to sense threat, and this part is extra sensitive in people with anxiety.

Ways you can help

Here are key ways to help a person with anxiety and support them:

1. Listen to them

Anxious people need to be listened to, just like anyone else. When you listen, you give your partner a safe space to explain how they’re feeling. It helps them to feel seen and heard without being judged. Giving them the chance to talk also will help you know better how to support them.

2. Encourage therapy

Talk therapy is one of the main ways people with chronic anxiety can overcome their problems. You are not responsible for providing professional therapy to your partner, but lovingly guiding them toward seeing a therapist gives them support and can help them deal with their anxiety.

3. Managing reactions

When a partner talks about their specific anxieties in the context of a relationship, it can be easy to take it personally or become upset. Instead of striking back, take a moment to calm down and remind yourself that the anxiety most likely is not about you, and you’re not the source.

We hope these three strategies on how to help your partner with anxiety are helpful. Online therapy is a good option for many who deal with stress. With Lavender, you can sign up for a subscription or pay as you go. Learn more about our services today.