The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that 40 million adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder. Almost three-quarters of them experience the symptoms by age 21.5, which is also a prime time for entering relationships. Anxiety disorders cause very prominent symptoms that can spill over onto your significant other if you don't stop them.
Definition
Help Guide, a mental health information website, explains that anxiety disorders are an extension of the body's natural reaction to stress. An uncomfortable or threatening situation causes normal anxiety as the body prepares you to handle it. The feeling usually passes when the situation ends. Some people have persistent anxiety without a specific trigger. They feel nervous, panicky, irritable or apprehensive. They may also have physical symptoms like tense muscles, shortness of breath, a tight chest, fatigue, trouble falling asleep and digestive problems.
Cause
National Panic & Anxiety Disorder News explains that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is usually caused by stressful life circumstances. The stress can come from anywhere. Common sources include school, work, finances and family. A relationship can lead to GAD if there are unresolved issues and you don't communicate well with your partner.
Effects
GAD can hurt your relationship if you take out your frustration or irritability on your partner. Your temperament is often affected by the physical symptoms, which makes matters worse. It's more difficult to discuss and work out problems when you are nervous, fatigued or in pain. Spousal support can help you deal with your disorder, but the symptoms push your partner away. This makes you even more frustrated and things can deteriorate even further.
Treatment
Treatment can lessen GAD's negative effects on your relationship by relieving the symptoms. Help Guide explains that the most common methods are cognitive counseling, anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication or a combination of therapy and drugs. Effective treatment lessens symptoms and their effect on your spouse. Couples counseling will specifically address problems triggered by your anxiety disorder.
You can do several other things in addition to professional treatment. The Mayo Clinic recommends attending a support group, going for a walk or doing other physical activity when you are stressed and socializing with friends. Talk to your partner about issues that trigger your anxiety, like finances or parenting responsibilities. Make a mutual plan to address problem areas.
Prevention
The Mayo Clinic states you can often prevent anxiety problems if you know you are prone to them. Your individual efforts can keep anxiety from affecting your relationship. Mayo recommends writing in a journal regularly to vent your feelings and pinpoint stressors. Use the information to prioritize responsibilities and deal with problem areas before they push you into full-blown anxiety. Ask for your partner's help if you need it. Do not use alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism. Even something as harmless-seeming as caffeine can cause anxiety, Mayo warns.
