Anxiety, fear, phobias, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can impact the quality of your relationships. Overcoming these obstacles is not easy, but couples can conquer them if they are determined to do so and are willing to seek professional help.

Recognizing Anxiety Symptoms

It is normal for people to experience anxiety when they are confronted with problems and stressful situations. However it is time to seek help if anxiety persists after challenges have been resolved and if this anxiety is so intense that it affects your ability to function in your daily life.

When one person in a relationship suffers from constant and overwhelming fear and worry, the other person will also feel the effects. It can be difficult to know what kind of support to ask for from your partner. It can be even more difficult to know what to do if you aren’t told specifically what is helpful. Working with a couples counselor can be a helpful way to identify what it is you need, how to ask for it and what you are able to provide to your partner experiencing symptoms. 

The Many Faces of Anxiety

It is important to recognize the signs that indicate the presence of anxiety, which can come in many forms.

• Panic attacks. Some people experience sudden and repeated episodes of anxiety that bring about heart palpitations, chest pain, sweating, and choking. These frequently mimic the signs of a heart attack and are referred to as anxiety or panic attacks. 
• Social anxiety. Individuals who experience social anxiety are often afraid they will be humiliated, criticized, or rejected by people in social settings. Due to this there is a fear of many social engagements. This can be taxing on a relationship and difficult to understand if you don’t have similar feelings. 
• Phobias. This includes excessive fears of certain places or things. The fear may seem irrational, however, it is very real to the person experiencing it. Phobias can make it difficult for people to do the things they want and can greatly impact their relationships. 
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a form of anxiety where individuals experience uncontrollable, anxiety-producing thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions). Some of the symptoms of OCD are hoarding, excessive washing, and illogical rituals such as tapping a door five times before entering a room. OCD can place great stress on relationships.

Facing Anxiety as a Couple

Anxiety can result from a host of causes, finding what is causing yours or  your partner can be helpful for recovery. Working with a skilled therapist can help you to identify causes and find skillful solutions. Symptoms rarely improve on their own without proper intervention.

Find the counselor that is right for you contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC. Couples counseling can help you to improve your symptoms and your relationship. Call today to get started.

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