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The Effect of Anxiety on your Relationships

Nancy MacGregor MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, Clinical Director

It’s not uncommon for there to be anxiety in relationships. However, when anxiety grows beyond ordinary worry it can become a serious issue that affects the mental well-being of those involved. If you suffer from anxiety, you are probably no stranger to the effects this mental health condition can have on your relationships. Living with these conditions can generate fear, worry, sadness, and mood swings. Symptoms may carry over into your marriage or relationship and harm both partners. When left untreated, an anxiety disorder can also harmfully impact your friendships and other personal relationships. Therefore, finding ways to cope with your anxiety is important in maintaining healthy relationships both in one’s personal life and outside it. Fortunately, Harmony Bay Wellness understands the impact and offers numerous therapeutic services to help individuals improve and maintain their mental health.

What is Anxiety?

Different forms of anxiety can affect your relationships differently. Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD Is described as persistent and excessive worry about various things. Those with GAD may find it impossible to control their worry. Symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include:

  • Feeling nervous or on edge
  • Having a sense of impending danger
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Having trouble concentration
  • Gastrointestinal problems

Usually, this kind of mental health issue can be treated through therapy that focuses on the root causes of the individual’s symptoms. Overcoming anxiety is an ongoing process that requires patience. However, at Harmony Bay Wellness, our counselors and therapists have a deep understanding of how GAD affects the lives of clients. By offering individuals numerous treatments, Harmony Bay Wellness is able to meet the needs of clients no matter what issues they may have.

The Effects of Anxiety in Relationships

Here are some ways anxiety can damage your relationship:

  • Being Overly Dependent: Those who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder may become overly dependent on their partner. This may include overthinking their relationship, fearing rejection, getting anxious if a partner does not respond quickly, and planning for the worst. Those who are overly dependent may also feel like they need constant reassurance from their partner.
  • Social Isolation: Sometimes, those with anxiety may withdraw from their relationships by isolating themselves to avoid any negative feelings. This can make maintaining a relationship difficult. To avoid this, it is important to open up to your partner and let them know how you are feeling.
  • Constant Worrying: Those with anxiety may feel like they are constantly living on edge. If you find yourself worrying often, you may be putting a strain on your partner. It is important to learn how to effectively communicate with your partner to understand each other’s emotions. If you feel like you are worrying too much, it may be time to speak to a therapist.

While not a comprehensive list of the effects of GAD on relationships, this can give you a sense of how mental health issues can cause difficulties between friends, loved ones, and family. There are numerous contributors to anxiety in relationships. Some of these stressors can be environmental and situation-specific while others are due deep or unresolved issues within the individual or between individuals.

Anxiety Treatment at Harmony Bay Wellness

Maintaining your relationship while you are experiencing anxiety may seem like a struggle. However, there are many steps you can take to manage your anxiety so you can have a happier and healthier relationship. Harmony Bay Wellness in Clementon, New Jersey, provides individualized anxiety treatment to help you overcome your condition.  Do not let your anxiety affect your relationship. Reach out to Harmony Bay Wellness today at [Direct].

Treatment with Harmony Bay

Harmony Bay is an outpatient behavioral health service that offers primary mental health treatment for a variety of mental health disorders. Our mission is to make mental health care convenient and affordable while providing an unmatched experience to our clients. contact us today by calling 855.765.6399.