Are You Supporting Your Partner With Anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental health condition that is often misunderstood and can be extremely difficult to deal with. If your partner has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to help.

I know how hard this is because my past husband had anxiety. Not occasional bouts of anxiety but extreme, daily, panic attacks that came out of no where and for no reason. Leaving the house was a struggle most days. His brain was constantly filled with worry and an overwhelming feeling of dread.

Yes, there were days when it wasn’t as bad, but most days, that anxiety was always there. Over time, I learned that I could support him in different ways.

It’s important to become educated on anxiety, so you can give your partner the support they need. Here are some tips on how to help a partner with anxiety:

#1 Learn as much as you can

The more you know about anxiety, the better equipped you will be to provide support. Read up on the latest research, talk to experts, and talk to your partner about their condition. Remember that everyone experiences anxiety differently, though. That means that as much as learning is important, it won’t always related to what your partner is experiencing.

#2 Communicate

Your partner’s experience with anxiety is unique, so it’s important to communicate with them about what works, and what doesn’t. Ask them if your help is making them feel better, or worse. Sometimes they might not even know what works or what doesn’t until they try something. Give them time to figure out how they feel. Then talk to them about it.

#3 Don’t put pressure on them

Your partner’s anxiety isn’t something they can just “get over”. Try not to put pressure on them to get better, and remember that it’s a process. It may take a long time to find the right tools for them. Also, they can’t “get better” just because you’re trying to be supportive. They have to do this their own way.

#4 Offer practical help

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to offer practical help. Offer to help with tasks they may be having trouble with, like grocery shopping or taking care of errands. These things might seem little to you, but for someone with anxiety, they can be very big.

#5 Practice self-care

It’s important to remember to practice self-care. Supporting a partner with anxiety can be emotionally draining, so make sure you’re taking time for yourself. As much as they need you, they need you to take care of yourself. Otherwise, you can’t be much help to them.

Anxiety is a serious condition, but with the right support, your partner can lead a happy, healthy life.