Various studies across the ages have found that an individual’s anxiety in a relationship can affect the levels of satisfaction in the relationship across both partners. Whether you’re dealing with your own anxiety, or you’re in a romantic relationship with an individual struggling with anxiety, the relationship dynamics may feel overwhelming and negative. When dealing with an anxious partner, it can be difficult, and you may feel like you’re going to say or do the wrong thing, but there are healthy ways to walk through relationship anxiety.
In best case scenarios, you may be dealing with a partner who has an anxious attachment style. This means that he or she will only feel as safe in a relationship at any given time as their partner’s last interaction. This may feel like clinginess, and the partner’s anxiety may lead them toward codependent behaviors. In worst case scenarios, you may be living with or loving an anxious partner whose severe anxiety is leaving you in fear, abandoning your own needs, or considering a breakup. Either way, anxiety impacts relationships, and if you want to stay in the present moment, anxiety treatment or resources can help.
A comprehensive study of individuals with anxiety in relationships showed various results surrounding relationship dynamics. Some findings suggest a cross-partner effect, such that on days when wives experienced increased anxiety, their husbands were more likely to report a reduction in positive qualities of the relationship.1 Although 70% of couples reported overall satisfying relationships, the daily processes sampled showed evidence of fluctuating relationship quality in association with wives’ anxiety.2 Additionally, on the majority of high anxiety days, wives rated their husbands as contributing to their anxiety in some capacity; husbands were most frequently rated as alleviating anxiety, although on a substantial minority of occasions (17%), they were perceived as making the anxiety worse.
Relationship anxiety can have a negative impact on each individual in the couple, and can make a partner feel that they are failing. One useful practice to living with an anxious partner is to lovingly set boundaries. Though this is an uncomfortable process, setting and upholding boundaries in a healthy relationship gives each individual the opportunity to stress test their limits, to teach one another how to treat each other, and to develop greater independence and coping skills. Another option for treating anxiety in a romantic relationship is to rely on professional help through couples or family therapy.3
Couples and family therapy may be used when a loved one’s depressive symptoms are affecting others. This can increase everyone’s understanding of depression and talk about how to support each other. Couples and family therapy sessions can improve communication patterns, focus on problem-solving, address unresolved conflicts, and increase the sense of understanding among one another. Being vulnerable can be difficult in a relationship, particularly if you’ve experienced trauma in past relationships. Working with a mental health professional can provide a more objective perspective to vulnerable conversations. If you’re interested in couples therapy with AMFM Mental Health Treatment, call to learn more about our providers.
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If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
An estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives, and approximately 31.9% of adolescents struggle with any anxiety disorder.4 If you or your loved one are struggling with anxiety and looking for effective treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to AMFM Mental Health Treatment to begin your mental health recovery process today.
Symptoms of anxiety:
Anxiety disorders can include but are not limited to:
Inpatient Treatment for Anxiety refers to residential, or live-in mental health care programming in a facility. Inpatient treatment allows you or your loved one to engage in interpersonal therapy with licensed therapists and group therapy sessions, while healing in a safe and supportive environment. Inpatient mental health programming for anxiety usually also provides the highest level of care, with 24/7 clinical care, psychiatry and medication management, and personalized treatment plans for lasting well-being.
Outpatient Treatment (IOP or PHP) programs offer comprehensive mental health care at a more flexible schedule, with both in-person and virtual options available. Unlike residential care, intensive outpatient treatment can offer online therapy and programming, but without 24/7 clinical teams on staff. Outpatient treatment plans still offer a combination of individual and group therapy, through a holistic approach, but in a less structured environment.
If you have been struggling with one or more of the anxiety symptoms we have mentioned, know that you’re not alone. A Mission For Michael Mental Health Treatment has admission counselors available around the clock to help determine which treatment options can assist you in managing anxiety. Contact us today to begin your confidential and free mental health assessment.
People who live with panic disorders or anxiety disorders may experience panic attacks. Panic attacks can be triggered by anything, really, but are often a result of anxious rumination. A panic attack may feel like nausea, breathlessness, or lightheadedness in the moment, but again, these anxious feelings are usually a result of cognitive distortions, rather than proportionate fears to one’s surroundings. If you or a loved one are struggling with panic attacks or anxiety feelings, there are ways to remind your body that it is in a safe place.
For example, when stuck in a cycle of anxious overthinking, you or a loved one may feel nauseous. However, eating some food and drinking some water can help break that anxious cycle. Following the hypothetical bear example: eating in a moment like this tells your body that it’s safe…you wouldn’t be eating a meal if a bear were in the room, you’d be running! There are a variety of ways to reduce anxiety in your daily life.
Anxiety symptoms can be deeply uncomfortable, and it makes sense to need relaxation techniques in the moment. If you’re looking for mental health treatment to help with anxiety management, don’t hesitate to reach out today.
There are a variety of breathing techniques and deep breathing exercises that are helpful when your anxiety symptoms feel overwhelming or out of control. One simple deep breathing exercise is to use a count to five as you breathe in, hold it for four counts, then release it for five counts, and repeat until you begin to feel yourself relax.
Physical stimulation can help you to jump start your body out of the fight-or-flight physical response of anxiety. Taking a cold shower, splashing your face with cold water, tasting sour candy, going for a run (and other types of physical activity) are all ways to trick your body into remembering that it is in a safe place.
Wellness activities like yoga, journaling, making playlists, art therapy and more can help build the mind-body connection through a more holistic healing process.
In a mental health treatment center, the day-to-day may vary depending upon your diagnoses and personalized treatment plan, but it will often consist of some combination of individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, psychiatry services, and more. AMFM Mental Health Treatment combines holistic and evidence-based mental health services in order to help each person overcome their particular obstacles and mental health conditions for greater overall well-being.
Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, offering peer support, and the reminder that others are also walking through these challenges. At the same time, groups provide guidance from qualified mental health professionals, with suggestions and communication from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychotherapists are trained to help adults and young adults change their cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.
EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment has extensive experience treating a variety of mental illnesses beyond depression through evidence-based therapies, including but not limited to the following:
Recovery can feel isolating; mental health programming can provide cohesive treatment plans to help you or your loved one as you move forward.
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Zaider TI, Heimberg RG, Iida M. Anxiety disorders and intimate relationships: a study of daily processes in couples. J Abnorm Psychol. 2010 Feb;119(1):163-73. doi: 10.1037/a0018473. PMID: 20141253; PMCID: PMC5177451.
“Any Anxiety Disorder – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).” National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder. Accessed 8 April 2025.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
Smith, Sara. “BHP Blog – Behavioral Health Partners (BHP).” BHP Blog – Behavioral Health Partners (BHP) – University of Rochester Medical Center, 10 April 2018, https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety. Accessed 9 April 2025.
MA, Carlberg K. “Crisis Intervention – StatPearls.” NCBI, 24 April 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559081/. Accessed 20 February 2025.
