Marriage and Anxiety

Marriage and anxiety, when combined, can be quite challenging. Of course, every marriage involves some anxiety. From the day of the proposal, anxiety in one form or another invades both partners' lives. However, for those who have anxiety that can be debilitating when unmanaged, dealing with anxiety before and during marriage can be almost impossible. Yet, with the right therapies, a person with serious anxiety can have a successful marriage.

Knowledge is power and when marriage and anxiety disorders combined, it is very important that both partners have a firm knowledge base about the particular form of anxiety disorder that is involved. This should happen well before the actual wedding if the person has already been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

Many people who have anxiety disorders are not diagnosed until years after they marry. For a partner, living with a person with an untreated anxiety disorder, life can be rather strained. Social anxiety can result in refusal of one partner to participate in social events. Generalized anxiety can result in one partner always thinking the worst has happened. Phobias can impact activities and life. Post-traumatic stress and the associated flashbacks, nightmares and panic can be very stressful for both partners. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, another anxiety disorder, can just about drive away a partner in some cases.

There is help for those in a marriage and anxiety can be managed. Frequently, both partners need counseling so that they can form a cohesive team to manage the anxiety. Therapy for the partner that has the anxiety problem should be a priority, but even the anxiety-free partner can benefit from counseling because the stresses that anxiety places on that partner takes its toll as well.

If you or your partner experience serious anxiety, don't delay getting help. All anxiety disorders can be treated and, in some cases, the disorder can be cured. There is no need to allow anxiety to threaten your marriage.