Living with Anxiety Disorders

Living with anxiety can be very difficult for Christians, especially as we are called to "rejoice" in all things.

If you or your spouse is living with an anxiety disorder, it can be a challenge, but it doesn't mean life isn't worth living.

According to Mayo Clinic, anxiety disorders can appear at any time of life, but often will appear fairly early. Was your spouse anxious from an early age? It may have been an undiagnosed anxiety disorder. These disorders are often especially challenging because they are often found hand-in-hand with other disorders like depression.

Some of the symptoms include:

• constant worry over small or large concerns
  
  
• feeling keyed up or on edge



• difficulty concentrating



• muscular tension or aches



• trouble sleeping



• fatigue



• trying too hard to fit in



• perfectionistic tendencies



• need for reassurance and approval

The symptoms don't have to be there all the time. But they will be there much of the time, and they will pop up again in times of change or stress.

Anxiety disorders are also related to:

• depression



• drug addiction



• alcohol addiction



• teeth grinding

This means anxiety could cause these, or lead to these, or make them worse if they're already there. Note: if your spouse is already addicted to drugs or alcohol, quitting will probably make them more anxious. Talk to a doctor.

If your spouse starts showing these symptoms, it is often better to get treatment early. If you wait to symptoms are too severe, it will be harder to treat.

Other than the obvious answers (therapy and medication), how can you help a spouse who suffers from anxiety disorder?

• tell them to relax. Just kidding.




• keep a balanced diet




• go with them to get daily exercise. Exercise reduces anxiety.




• make sure they get enough sleep.




• look into relaxation techniques and coach your spouse in them. A panicking person can't do relaxation.




• Buy them Vitamin B and folic acid supplements.




• When they get anxious, have them do a hobby or distract them.




• Keep them social. Get out of the house!

You should also be familiar with the symptoms of a panic attack, so you can realize when one happens before it gets too bad. While generalized anxiety disorder is a long-term illness characterized by feeling overly worried and anxious, an actual panic attack is shorter (usually 10-30 minutes) and much more intense. Your partner will need more support during these times. Here's what a panic attack looks like:

• feeling of losing control



• feeling of going crazy



• feeling of overwhelming panic



• trouble breathing



• feeling like you're going to pass out



• hyperventilating



• shaking



• stomach cramps



• nausea



• feeling detached or unreal

If you suffer from anxiety, here are some things you should try to do:

• focus on what positive things you are working toward, not what terrible things you are running from.



• keep a list of 3 good things that happen every day... even if you have to stretch.



• do things that make you feel good, even if you don't feel like it.



• do nice things for others without expecting anything back. Giving kindness makes you happier, too!

Living with anxiety can be hard... but it's not impossible. With a loving, supportive partner and hard work, living with anxiety can be done.