5 ways to date a person with anxiety
Dating someone with anxiety can lead to additional stress
Try as you might, dating can be stressful. Dating someone with anxiety can lead to additional stress. Luckily, there are ways to make navigating these tricky waters easier without sacrificing your own happiness or ending the relationship. With the right support and the following tips, dating someone with anxiety can be a rewarding experience for both partners.
Talk about it from the start
The number one thing you can do for your partner and the relationship is to start with open, honest communication. People with anxiety may not always be able to vocalize the way they’re feeling, and this can put you in a difficult position. If your partner is experiencing anxiety, but has trouble communicating that or asking for what they need, it can put an extra strain on the relationship.
With communication, you can help your partner feel more comfortable and lessen their anxiety.
Watch for red flags
Dating someone with anxiety can be an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, your partner is feeling confident and secure, and the next, they’re overwhelmed and experiencing crippling anxiety. These emotional extremes can be exhausting and become especially challenging when you don’t know what to expect.
- If your partner’s anxiety is frequent or severe, you’ll want to watch for certain red flags that may predict a future panic attack or severe episode.
- If your partner is prone to panic attacks, you’ll want to watch for physical symptoms such as racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, nausea, and trembling.
- If your partner is prone to severe anxiety, you may notice them withdrawing from their friends and family and becoming hyper-focused on self-care.
- You may also notice that they’re more sensitive to certain stimuli, like noise, crowds, and busy environments.
If you notice these red flags, talk to your partner. Let them know that you’ve noticed the way they’re feeling and that you want to help. Ask them what they need from you, and try your best to help them feel safe and secure.
Manage your own stress levels
Start by recognizing your own stress triggers:
What situations or people make you feel overwhelmed?
What can you do to reduce your stress levels whenever these situations arise?
Are there any anxiety-reducing activities you can try?
Remember that you can’t control other people’s emotions or reactions. You can only control yourself and your reactions, so make sure you’re not adding to your partner’s stress by over-managing or over-thinking the situation.
Set boundaries and be firm
You can’t control your partner’s anxiety, but you can control your reactions to it. Set firm boundaries and create a safe space for both of you to heal and grow. Going out every weekend, keeping a jam-packed social calendar, and dating non-stop can only add to your partner’s stress.
The author of this article is a therapist from the Sensera app. Sensera is a daily 10-minute self-therapy app. It’ll help you to cope with various mental problems (anxiety, self-esteem, and relationship issues). Feel better with CBT audio sessions and exercises. Download now to become happier!
