5 Unexpected Ways Anxiety Influences Your Relationships
Anxiety can impact your life in many different ways. Depending on the severity of anxiety, it can affect your career, personal life, and even relationships. Unfortunately, it also works within a vicious cycle. The more it negatively influences your life, the more fuel it gets and can become even worse as you feel like things are spiraling out of control.
In some cases, though, you might not realize just how much anxiety is influencing your relationships. Recognizing some of those signs can make it easier to take action, get treatment, and learn how to manage your symptoms.
So, what are some unexpected ways anxiety could be affecting your relationships?
1. Overdependence
Anxiety can cause you to question every decision you make. You might second guess yourself about everything or wonder if you’re making the right choice. Even simple, everyday situations can become complicated because you feel so uncertain about your decisions.
In a relationship, this can cause overdependence.
You’ll end up relying on your partner for everything because you can’t make decisions on your own without struggling. While that might not seem like a big problem, it creates an unhealthy balance in the relationship. Not only will your partner have an extra weight of responsibility on their shoulders, but in negative associations, some people might choose to take advantage of you and your dependence.
2. Craving Constant Reassurance
In addition to dependency, it’s not uncommon for people with anxiety to need reassurance in relationships.
You might find yourself constantly wondering if something is wrong. Or maybe you get nervous about what someone else is really thinking about you, so you look for reassurance and attention from that person. Unfortunately, that need for constant support can be draining for everyone.
3. Avoidance
Some people with anxiety go the opposite route from being overly dependent and instead become highly avoidant. That’s obviously not ideal in any relationship, as it can make you seem distant, cold, and disconnected from your partner, family, and friends.
Avoiding relationships and connections can make anxiety worse, as you’re alone with your thoughts more often. Having a support system is crucial when dealing with anxiety, so this is an especially problematic response.
4. Irritability
Anxiety impacts everyone differently, including how people respond to specific triggers or everyday situations. For example, while fear and worry are at the root of it all, some people react to their triggers by becoming angry or irritable, which they use as their defense mechanism.
Snapping at someone you care about because you’re anxious can subconsciously make you feel like you’re protecting yourself, even if you know that person isn’t a threat.
These kinds of reactions can cause severe problems in relationships. No one wants to walk on eggshells every day, wondering if something they say or do might set you off. It can cause more arguments in relationships and completely demolish your partner’s self-esteem.
5. Tension
When you’re in a relationship and dealing with anxiety, it can create constant, chronic tension. You might both feel it and not know what to do about it. Unfortunately, that often leads to poor communication and unhealthy habits within the relationship.
Dealing with tension all the time will only add more stress to your life, which can make your anxiety even worse.
So, what should you do?
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, seeking treatment for your anxiety should be your top priority.
Anxiety doesn’t go away on its own, but it’s very manageable with the right help.
Feel free to contact me to learn more or to set up an appointment. Your relationships don’t have to continue to suffer because of anxiety. By taking charge of your mental health, you’ll be able to appreciate and enjoy them more than ever.