It is common for couples to experience difficult times together over the course of their relationship. It is possible, however, that the typical difficulties that a marriage encounters can become much more challenging when one of the partners is battling with an anxiety illness.
One of the hallmarks of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, is the presence of intense worries and fears. Adding stress to a relationship is something that might happen when one partner is attempting to deal with the symptoms and feelings that are associated with an anxiety-related condition.
These concerns have the potential to result in a breakdown in communication and understanding between the parties involved.
It is possible that you are fully aware of the influence that panic disorder has on relationships if you are married to or in a relationship with someone who suffers from this condition. In the event that you have been diagnosed with panic disorder, you can become aware that your partner or spouse is also affected by the symptoms that you experience.
Additionally, despite the fact that a person’s experience with panic disorder, panic attacks, or agoraphobia might have a detrimental impact on their relationship, it is possible for couples to work together toward recovery while still having a healthy relationship.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
In order to assist a partner who is suffering anxiety, the first step is to gain a better understanding of what they are going through. When you want to learn more about anxiety, what it feels like, and the affects it can have on your partner’s day-to-day functioning, you should look into the resources that are available online.
Anxiety can create a difficult and all-consuming environment. Having a better understanding of the symptoms, the factors that produce them, and the therapies available can make you feel more empowered to assist your spouse in addressing their problems and more knowledgeable when you talk to them about them. Here you can find out the best options for couples therapy Frederiksberg (parterapi Frederiksberg).
Get Additional Support
It’s possible that a spouse will believe they are being the most helpful if they put everything else on hold and focus solely on meeting the requirements of their partner who suffers from panic disorder.
Keep in mind that it is of the utmost importance to attend to your personal self-care requirements. You won’t be able to give your partner your undivided attention if you don’t make sure that your own requirements are being satisfied.
Maintaining a social life, a job life, a leisure life, and a spiritual life while continuing to be supportive of your partner is included in this. If you are in a relationship with someone who suffers from anxiety or panic disorder, you should make an effort to avoid the perception that it is self-centered to prioritize your own personal need.
In order to be a genuine supporter of your spouse who suffers from anxiety or panic disorder, you should begin by ensuring that you are taking care of yourself. Among the many methods in which you might accomplish this, you can make an effort to:
- Engage in activities that are unique to you.
- Get some regular exercise.
- Pay attention to the nutritional requirements you have.
- Relaxation techniques should be practiced.
- Track down social support.
If you are experiencing a lack of social support, you might want to think about joining a local support group or an online support forum. In these settings, you will have the opportunity to communicate with other partners who are coping with mental illness.
Through its locations across the country, the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) provides access to a variety of resources and support groups.
You should know that dehydration can also cause the panic attacks, so drinking more water can create the feeling of relaxation. Here you can find out how much water to drink daily in liters to stay healthy and hydrated. I will also help in maintaining your calories intake.
Put an End to Enabling
Although you might not be aware of them, enabling behaviors are rather prevalent in relationships in which one of the partners suffers from a mental health illness such as anxiety, panic disorder, or another ailment. In the case that your partner suffers from anxiety, you can have the impression that you are being helpful if you make an effort to avoid them from experiencing any kind of distress.
Enabling your spouse, on the other hand, stops them from learning how to better manage their symptoms that they are experiencing. Your partner is the one who ultimately bears the responsibility of working through that process and coming to grips with their illness.
It is important to talk with your partner about your needs and expectations in order to cease enabling them.
It is essential that you discuss these issues with your partner if they refuse to seek or accept assistance to deal with the situation. It is important to keep in mind that you are actually assisting your spouse when you encourage them to learn how to deal with anxiety or panic disorder and support them in accepting the truth of the situation.
Respect Their Feelings
While it is essential that you do not encourage avoidance habits, it is also essential that you do not underestimate or disregard the emotions that your partner is experiencing. Be compassionate toward what your partner is going through and acknowledge the concerns and fears that they are experiencing.
It is best to refrain from making statements such as “It’s not that bad” or “Just stop worrying.” Despite the fact that your partner’s worries may appear to be unreasonable, the feeling that they are experiencing is very genuine to them.
Let them know that you are aware of their anxiety and that you are there to assist them instead of trying to convince them otherwise. Think about having a conversation about the ways in which you and they could collaborate to make them feel less uncomfortable in instances like these.
Convince Them for Treatment
Make sure you educate yourself on the many therapy choices that are available for your partner. You might also look into the availability of therapists in your area or therapy choices available online.
If you want to set an appointment for your spouse, you should first discuss the matter with them. The choice must be made by them, but you should let them know that you will be there for them throughout the treatment process.
Consider Couples Therapy
It is possible for a person who suffers from panic disorder to refuse therapy or even reject that they require any kind of assistance at all. When one partner wishes to have a healthier relationship with the other, this can be both irritating and painful to them.
In the event that you discover that your partner is unwilling to seek assistance on their own, it may be appropriate to advise that they participate in couples counseling. The difficulties in communication and other unsolved issues that are harming your relationship can be addressed with the assistance of a couple’s therapist.
You are still able to seek assistance on your own even if your partner fails to participate in couples therapy. It is possible for a therapist to assist you in organizing your feelings and determining what is most healthy for you.
