Anxiety Disorders:
Heal to Love Deeper
Do you have underlying anxiety issues and disorders that are challenging you? Anxiety disorders and depression can quietly weave its way into our relationships, often without us realizing its true impact. Many of us bring underlying anxiety-related issues into our partnerships, expecting our partner to navigate them, accommodate us and accept us as we are. Yet anxiety disorders and depression can profoundly affect our ability to connect, trust, and thrive in relationships - challenging the healthiest of partners.
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Working through underlying anxiety issues, such as social anxiety, phobias, panic disorders, depression or addictions/compulsive behaviour can not only heal us but transform relationships - particularly our ability to connect to our partner and love even deeper.
Heal relationship strain caused by anxiety
So why is it important to address our underlying anxiety? Erratic, angry, or defensive behaviors arise because of our struggles not because of our partner’s actions. We blame them for not being supportive enough or project our fears or frustrations onto them, creating tension and miscommunication. For example, social anxiety might lead to avoiding Xmas family gatherings or refusing neighbour dinner invites, with excuses masking the underlying fear of social interaction. Similarly, a fear of driving might result in shifting all the responsibility to our partner or overspending on taxis to avoid confronting the issue. Over time, these patterns can grow into elaborate coping mechanisms, placing strain on the relationship. Such dynamics can make it difficult for both individuals to feel authentically connected and supported - and even rupture the relationship.
Addressing these anxiety-driven behaviors is essential not only for personal growth but also for the health of the relationship. By identifying and healing the root causes of anxiety, we can stop relying on avoidance and projection, creating space for trust, connection and mutual understanding to flourish
Need help with panic attacks?
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Having other life stresses or an underlying anxiety issues disorder, such as GAD, social anxiety or depression puts additional strain on the relationship. This gets interwoven with relationships and can be flung into dark places you or into panic. You can listen to my Panic Audio (it's a free download) when you are having a panic attack to help yourself calm down and reset.
Key relationship benefits of healing anxiety disorders
1. Reduces
Hyper Sensitivity
Underlying anxiety can make us hypersensitive to criticism and overwhelmed. Resolving the anxiety means you give the relationship more time and focus giving it the best chance.
2. Reduce Compounded Stress
Issues such as depression or phobias add to the stress load of the relationship. Addressing the root cause means there is more time for the relationship and creating intimacy.
3. Objective
Perceptions
We can project our fears onto our partner misinterpreting support or neutral actions as rejection. Resolving anxiety issues helps create healthier self perceptions.
4. Stops
Diversions
Many addictions such as alcohol or SSRI use or binge eating are ways of diverting from the anxiety. Breaking the destructive cycle allows you to build sustainable relationships.
Unlock your
relationship resilience
Resilience is the foundation of any strong relationship, allowing couples to navigate challenges, overcome misunderstandings, and grow together. If anxiety disorders and unhelpful behaviors are holding your relationship back get in touch. I offer a tailored approach to help you understand and work through your underlying anxiety issues. Find out more about the evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how to reshape the mind, how to employ emotional regulation strategies and so calm the emotions and how to master mindfulness techniques to accept what we cannot change.
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Together, we’ll focus on cultivating emotional resilience - the ability to face difficulties with greater clarity, strength and grace. This resilience unlocks a future filled with harmony, trust and connection, enabling you to have the mental and emotional space to focus on building healthier relationships.
