The real issue arises when natural worry evolves into debilitating stress or results in self-sabotage that negatively affects your relationship. Relationship anxiety can cause people to engage in behaviors that end up pushing their partner away.
Anxiety makes us feel either fearful or limited. Also, a brain and body trained to stress may have a much harder time enjoying sex and intimacy. Negative thoughts and fears impact a person's ability to be present within a relationship, potentially sucking the joy out of a moment.
When one party in a relationship is suffering from poor mental health, it can have a big impact on communication. People struggling with extreme mental health issues may struggle to articulate themselves or communicate their feelings, making conversation difficult and causing the relationship to flounder.
Relationship anxiety doesn't necessarily mean that you're in an unhealthy relationship or your partner is a walking red flag. “Often it's caused by our own insecurities and past experiences,” says Klesman.
One of the silent red flags in a relationship is partners avoiding confrontation or conflict. Your partner should be your safe space, providing you a sense of comfort. If you hesitate to have difficult conversations or express yourself in front of them, then it's a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
Saying something like “My girlfriend has mental health issues” is no valid reason for them to leave their partner. Your mental health issue is also an invalid reason to leave your relationship either. In fact, if your partner is supportive, they'll help to keep yourself balanced.
Don't let anxiety cause selfishness
One of the biggest problems with anxiety is that it can cause a person to become pretty self-absorbed or even selfish. They can understandably get wrapped up in their own fears, worries, and stress and tend to forget about everything else and everyone else around them.
Being in a committed relationship with someone who is dealing with anxiety isn't easy. Your partner's anxiety may bring up intense emotions, either from your past or about your current relationship. This is completely normal but may lead to unfavorable reactions toward your partner.
Many people with relationship anxiety will continuously worry their partner will “find someone better,” doubt whether their partner truly cares for them, or constantly be concerned that their partner will break up with them over insignificant or non-existent reasons.
Overall, anxiety traits are correlated with neuroticism and introversion but have a greater association with neuroticism. People with high neuroticism and introversion scores are more likely to feel anxious.
People with anxiety disorders feel a need to control everything around them in order to feel at peace. They may not trust anyone else to handle things the way they will.
feel isolated — disinterested in the company of family and friends, or withdrawing from usual daily activities. feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions. be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying.
One big reason is low self-esteem and self-worth, according to clinical psychologist Maggie Dancel, Psy. D. If you're worried your partner may like you enough, you might subconsciously act out or push them away so you don't have to feel the sting of rejection.
So, when you break up with someone who has an anxiety disorder, my best advice is to explain to them the uncertainty within yourself. Because if you don't, they will come up with conclusions themselves. You're already going to leave them in the dark and they are going to hate themselves for weeks because of it.
If dissatisfaction with the relationship is a factor, the person may wish to leave. Depression can be a chronic illness, and having depression or looking after someone with depression can be challenging. This, too can put a strain on a relationship.
The most common reasons for breakups usually include fading feelings, infidelity, a lack of effort, a loss of trust, and a pattern of unproductive, unhealthy fights.
Physical, emotional, and mental abuse are undeniable red flags in any relationship. Physical abuse is easier to pick up. But emotional and mental abuse can be just as damaging in the long run. And just like physical abuse, mental and emotional abuse can cause PTSD.
Sometimes, when a woman goes silent on you, it may be a way of testing you. For example, if she feels insecure about the relationship or is unsure of your feelings for her, she may go silent to see how you will react.
Many guys have trouble with anger. They are fearful of disrespecting and hurting the person they love. Silence is an attempt to protect them, and their partner from causing more damage. Yes, it's not logical, it's emotional!
Instead, it usually is diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder. The term "high-functioning anxiety" represents people who exhibit anxiety symptoms while maintaining a high level of functionality in various aspects of their lives.