Weekly Prompt #29: How is your anxiety impacting your relationship?
Hi everyone, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
A couple of weeks ago we discussed: What are some positive things that can come from experiencing anxiety? Thank you to all who participated and shared your thoughts with us. I appreciate you all. I hope all who may read it find it relatable too. If anyone hasn't shared yet, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: How is your anxiety impacting your relationship?
@ASilentObserver
Hi, OBs. Thanks for this post. It has been a rough roller coaster ride, and our internet has been spotty. I can't get online much these months. My anxiety has been off the chart: headaches and muscle spasmsums. My husband has made things difficult, and I am spending all my energy trying to fix things so we don't wind up on the streets—so much red tape and waiting for the professionals to take action. I am physically depleted and so disheartened.
My relationship with my husband has been affected. I am carrying the whole load and crumbling in the process. He has Dementia, I have no help, and it is just me trying to keep our lives afloat.
I have, and I am doing all I know to keep myself in the right frame of mind, but it is extremely hard.
I have been unable to focus on myself these past few months and need a break. Hoping things will soon begin to get back on course again, but this is just a bandaid to an open wound that will come caving in on the two of us. Not sure if I need to jump ship now or wait till we have no choices or options.
@WorkingitThrough2 Good to see you Working. Thank you for opening up with us here <3 I am sorry to hear about the challenges you are facing with your husband's health issues and the stress of managing everything on your own. It must be overwhelming . Please know you have all of us here to support you. Please be kind and gentle to yourself.
@ASilentObserver
It seems as though the harder I try to get us back on course, the more things fall apart. I went to therapy today, and I feel so lost and overstressed. I know that I am stressed out because of these bad headaches that are starting daily. I am losing weight, so I know I am not handling this right. Can't sleep and I find myself working on my Dollhouses day and night to keep my mind somewhat at ease.
It seems everything is about hurrying up and waiting, yet things are crumbling daily. I did arrange for my husband to be retested. We are waiting for that appointment.
I am sorry for posting all this but I have no one to dump this crap on that can help. I appreciate all of you more then you know.
@ASilentObserver
I have achieved some baby steps. I thank God for the baby steps, and the process is slow, and by the time they respond to one issue, another symptom appears. I am determined to keep striving to make progress. Things are very crucial.
Thanks for your support.❤️
@WorkingitThrough2 You are determined and dedicated to making progress, and I appreciate that. We are all here with you.
@ASilentObserver praying always help me
@gentleCurrent6568 that is great current. <3
Me right now
@kittyblack34 I understand how it feels, kitty. Would you share more about what's been causing you anxiety?
Just a lot things ,but when you used to someone all the time now balry anymore , he put in friendzone it hurt so much when you and him were dating for almost 1 year you fall for him hard
@ASilentObserver It had a major impact on my relationship in 2021. At the time, my partner and I had moved to a new city, were dealing with the pandemic like everyone else, and didn't have a support system locally we could rely on. I felt the anxiety increase every day until I couldn't deal with it anymore and my partner was almost as stressed as I was all the time. I decided not only just to go to therapy, which I had been doing, but also get on medication.
The decision to medicate (via a psychiatrist) really helped take thew edge off my BFFs (big fat feelings) so I could function in my day-to-day life. It took the stress off my partner, who has since also learned tips, techniques and more to help me come down from an "excited" state.
@asb1995 I am sorry to hear that your anxiety impacted your relationship. I am glad getting on medication really helped. What other things have you found to help manage your anxiety?
@ASilentObserver sometimes i feel like not talking to any of my friends family and my boyfriend..i dont know why..i love them so much but sometimes my brain just freezes and doesn't care about anything and after some days it comes back to normal..and this behaviour gets everyone thinking like i have attitude problem or i just dont care about their feelings but in reality I don't even know why thats happening
@Justmenano that feels like you're experiencing difficult feelings of anxiety that are impacting your relationships. Feeling disconnected from loved ones and struggling with communication can be tough.
@ASilentObserver
*big tight hugs *(if ok)
My social anxiety has gotten worse during the past few week. Even though a lot of things has happen and most of them can be described as devastating, I am afraid to reach out to anyone about what has happened. (that's ok though I think…)
I don't if I should open up to anyone here anymore, I mean although I know I won't be judged here , yet I feel like everyone is disapproving me, just like everyone off cups…
@Apeatrice Hugs back Apeatrice and thank you for opening up and reaching out. I can understand you're experiencing difficult feelings of social anxiety right now. Feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about reaching out for support is understandable. Please know you always have the choice to open up and share when you feel ready. You have all Sometimes, taking small steps is all what count the most
Lately I feel my anxiety has affected my interpersonal relationships because the anxiety reaches levels to where I'm a bit irritable. I come across as mostly wanting to be left alone, or not ask any questions. I come across as short, or even a bit hysterical depending on the particular trigger. Thankfully those I'm around understand and don't take it personally. I'm not sure how people who don't know me as well would feel. In their shoes I would probably be offended. But that's the last thing I'd ever intend.
@TrueSight Thank you for sharing with us, Truesight. It seems like you are concerned about how your anxiety may be impacting your relationships. It can be difficult when our emotions get the better of us and we end up snapping at people or coming across as irritable. It takes a lot of courage to open up about this and I appreciate you sharing. Would you share more about what typically triggers these episodes?
@ASilentObserver well there are many seemingly little things that trigger irritability. Once all it took was for a piece of sliver wear to be crooked. But there's always a bigger problem bothering me and not really the little trivial things. Usually in my journaling and my therapy sessions I identify the bigger issue everything is stemming off from. Right now, grief is a big source for it. As well as stress related to some recent trauma tied to the grief and all this with college starting back up in August. So, a bit overwhelmed.
@TrueSight Well I am glad you have a good awareness of what is going on inside your body when you feel yourself becoming irritated. You are able to recognize that there might be bigger issues lurking underneath the surface that need attention. this understanding is helpful. How do you typically respond to yourself when you notice you are feeling irritated?
@ASilentObserver When I realize I'm becoming irritated I feel a little bit of shame because it is typically something one doesn't get irritated over. I focus on changing my tone and try to go on like nothing happened. Sometimes just going into another room, or outside away from people is a method I will use.
@TrueSight I am glad you have a strategy of trying to change your tone and move on.