Anxiety Might Cause You To Make These 5 Relationship Mistakes

Dec 17, 2018 by apost team

When you have anxiety, it makes its way into every aspect of your life. Even when you think you are doing okay, anxiety has a way of holding you back or acting out in ways you wouldn’t normally act. It can be like an invisible hand holding you like a puppet. 

Sure, different treatments can help keep anxiety at bay. But sometimes, anxiety makes you say or do things you end up regretting. When you have anxiety and are having trouble staying afloat yourself, it can be pretty difficult to not lash out at the person you love. You may be constantly worried about money, your children, your elderly parents, and work. The more you worry, the more you tend to take it out on the people you love.

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 It is important to understand the common mistakes someone who has anxiety may make in a relationship. Knowing what to look for in a person who has anxiety may help you curb their behavior before it gets too bad. If you are the one with the anxiety, knowing the relationship mistakes that are the most common can help you realize when they are happening.

The following are five relationship mistakes people with anxiety may make:

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1. Trying to maintain control of the relationship

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For many people with anxiety, trying to control their surroundings as much as possible is a defensive mechanism that can damage a relationship. They may try and control as much as possible to push back the feeling that something is going to happen at any given moment. This often develops into a control issue that the person with anxiety uses to manage their overall situation. However, no one should try to completely control someone else’s’ behavior, especially when their anxiety is high.

It is often a behavior that is hard to recognize. However, when you notice that you are becoming more and more controlling with someone else, take the time to stop and ask yourself why. This will help you gain greater clarity over the entire situation.

2. Snapping too often in their direction

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It is perfectly natural to vent to your partner. However, when you start regularly using them as a sounding board to vent, problems can occur. It can be absolutely exhausting for your partner, who may begin to feel as though they are only there for you to complain to.

Yes, your significant other (or you, if you are the one with anxiety) should always be supportive. However, do not take advantage of it. Try to find another way to vent your frustrations. Pick up a hobby, such as reading or writing, to take your mind off of your anxieties. Maybe begin an exercise routine that will allow you to blow off steam. These solutions will allow you to release the pressure you feel in a productive way.

3. Allowing overthinking to shut your emotions down

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A common behavior of someone with anxiety is to overthink everything. When we start getting anxious, we start becoming uncertain about certain things. To compensate, we shut our emotions down, shutting others out. We shouldn’t close up around the people we love. It may only make the situation worse, especially when you allow emotions and feelings to simmer under the surface.

If you are the significant other of someone with anxiety, make sure that they are aware that you are always there for them. They should know you are a “judgment-free zone” where they can unleash their worries with no repercussions.

4. Making a mountain out of a molehill

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When you have anxiety, everything that happens to you causes you to get upset. Sometimes even the smallest thing can cause you to snap. This is obviously not good for a relationship. Try to always keep a very clear perspective of whatever is going on to keep anxiety at bay. Allow yourself the chance to release pent-up frustrations on a regular basis, provided you do so in a calm environment.

5. Not being completely present

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When you are in a relationship, it is very important to be present for the person you claim to love. However, anxiety has a way of screwing this up. For a person with anxiety, staying present and attentive to someone can be overwhelming due to what is going on in your brain. You’re constantly thinking about other issues no matter how hard you try to stay in the moment. You’re worried about how you are going to pay the electric bill, when you have to go grocery shopping next, and if your kid is doing well in school. It’s always something! 

If this sounds like an issue you or someone you know is dealing with, practicing mindfulness meditation or breathing exercise can help.

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Having anxiety can be difficult for the person who has it and the loved ones who support them. Getting rid of anxiety isn’t something that will happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and a good plan of action. We hope that you can find ways to deal with your anxiety as best as possible.

Do you know someone with anxiety or are you trying to deal with anxiety yourself? Leave a comment to let us know about your experiences and pass this article on to others who could use the advice!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!